Wizz Air will investigate the possibility of extremely efficient, ultra-low-cost hydrogen-powered operations as part of the collaboration. It will provide WIZZ with a better understanding of how flying a zero-emission hydrogen aircraft may benefit the airline’s long-term economic plan.
The goal of this Memorandum of Understanding is to explore hydrogen aircraft operating and infrastructural possibilities and obstacles. Both sides will work together to have a thorough grasp of:
From the viewpoints of society, legislation, energy price, and hydrogen infrastructure, the global hydrogen ecosystem is evolving.
The influence of hydrogen aircraft on Wizz Air’s fleet, operations, and infrastructure, including its network, scheduling, ground bases, and airports, by taking into account particular aircraft features like range and refueling time.
“At Wizz Air, we stay ambitious with our expansion plan to deliver on our mission to make travel accessible for everybody, while offering a wonderful customer experience on board one of Europe’s youngest and greenest fleets,” said Johan Eidhagen, Chief People & ESG Officer. Growth and sustainability, we think, are not mutually incompatible, with cutting-edge new technology paving the path for more environmentally friendly air travel. This historic cooperation with Airbus will help to improve sustainable aviation throughout the world by developing ultra-efficient operations and future business models. We are ecstatic and can’t wait to start working together.”
“Working with our customers is vital to achieving a climate-neutral, zero-emission airplane by 2035,” said Glenn Llewellyn, Vice President of Zero Emission Aircraft at Airbus. Wizz Air’s participation in current research and development into the needs for hydrogen aircraft operations within a hydrogen-powered aviation ecosystem is extremely welcome. Understanding the performance of airline fleets and networks allows us to better specify the architectural features of a future ZEROe aircraft, as well as the impact on airports, ground support, and route networks.”
This agreement with Airbus builds on Wizz Air’s reputation as the most ecologically friendly airline and the company’s sustainability campaign, “Fly the Greenest,” which encourages passengers to fly responsibly. WIZZ’s operation of one of the world’s youngest and most efficient fleets is the focus of the campaign. WIZZ has the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer of any competitive airline, and if other airlines were as efficient as Wizz Air, European aviation CO2 emissions would be reduced by 34%.
Wizz Air inked a deal with Airbus in November 2021 to acquire a total of 102 A321 aircraft, including 75 A321neo and 27 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The order was unanimously approved by shareholders at an extraordinary shareholder meeting on February 22, 2022.
Wizz Air’s supply backlog now includes a firm order for 34 A320neo, 240 A321neo, and 47 A321XLR aircraft, as well as a 15 A321neo extra order and buy rights for 75 A321neo. There are a total of 411 aircraft in this group.
