Europe’s fastest-growing and most environmentally sustainable airline, Wizz Air, will upgrade all of its aircraft fleet at London Luton Airport (LLA) to Airbus A321neo by 2025. They currently have 11 aircraft stationed at Luton with an average age of 3 years. The integration of the new ‘neo’ technology into the airline’s fleet at LLA has already exceeded 50% and will reach its goal by 2025.
The new technology in the Airbus A321neo offers a nearly 50% reduction in noise footprint, 20% less fuel consumption and emits 50% less nitrogen oxide compared to the previous generation of aircraft in the Airbus family. The new aircraft for Wizz Air can currently fly with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend.
Wizz Air proudly operates with the lowest carbon emissions per passenger and kilometre against all competitor airlines. This amounted to 53.8 grams in the 2023 financial year. As part of the fleet renewable programme, the older aircraft that have been and will be decommissioned from the Luton airport will be integrated into Wizz Air’s global fleet until 2027, which will then be replaced by the new Airbus A321neo aircraft. In addition to renewing the fleet, the airline is continuously focusing on enhancing fuel efficiency initiatives and refining its related data analytics.
Partnering with Neste, OMV and Cepsa, Wizz Air has secured offtake agreements to establish a sustainable aviation fuel strategy. In April 2023, Wizz Air reported its first equity investment in a biofuel company, Firefly Green Fuels, to support sustainable aviation fuel in the UK. In May 2023, the airline invested in Clean Joule, a US-based start-up that produces sustainable aviation fuel, as a member of Indigo Partners.
As a longer term plan, the airline are working alongside Airbus to research the potential for hydrogen-powered aircraft. Wizz Air is strengthening their dedication to decreasing emissions intensity by the conclusion of the decade through their partnerships.
“London is an important market for Wizz Air and remains in our focus for continuous investment. We are already leading in sustainability, operating the youngest fleet in Europe in the most efficient way. We are focused on technology and innovation and feel confident that fleet renewal is a key solution available here and now to reduce emissions from aviation. Replacing older aircraft at our London Luton Airport base with the newest and more fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo is part of our long-term fleet renewal strategy to reduce carbon intensity by 25% by 2030. We are delighted to work together with London Luton Airport on finding new solutions that help us to reach our targets.”
Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air.
London Luton airport have set a goal to achieve net zero for their airport emissions by 2040 to fulfil their commitment to sustainable aviation. The commitment includes generating 25% of electricity from on-site renewable sources by the end of 2026, using 100% low carbon vehicles by 2030 and transitioning to low carbon heat from 2030. The Luton based airport are also continuing to work alongside their partners to support and facilitate the reduction of the overall carbon emissions.
“We are delighted to have secured this agreement with Wizz Air that adds to the growing number of quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft that are now based at London Luton Airport. Alongside our own commitment to sustainable aviation, and our ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2040 for our airport emissions, Wizz Air’s investment in these next generation aircraft is an example of the way in which we are working with airlines to enable the reduction of overall carbon emissions across our airport. Preparations are well under way for the busy summer ahead and our teams are focused, as ever, on delivering a simple and friendly passenger experience.”
Jonathan Rayner, Chief Commercial Officer at London Luton Airport.
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News sourced from WizzAir.
