Suited For The Airbus A321XLR: Wizz Air Plans For Nonstop Flights Between Europe & India

Wizz Air CEO József Váradi has confirmed that the airline is considering launching direct flights between several European cities and airports in India. These would be made possible through the upcoming induction of the carrier’s Airbus A321XLRs, the longest-range variant of Airbus’ successful A320 family.

The low-cost airline group has 47 A321XLRs on order, combining two agreements placed in 2019 and another in 2021. Last year, Váradi had already hinted at possible operations to India, an intention furthered by his attendance at the 2023 EU-India Aviation Summit in April. At the time, a spokesperson told Simple Flying:

“We keep our options open and indeed, India is a potential for the XLR down the line.”

Up to seven cities

Speaking to The Indian Express at the CAPA India Aviation Summit in Delhi this week, Váradi noted that the carrier was looking at launching direct flights to India from “six to seven” European cities.

The CEO revealed that the carrier expects to take its first A321XLR in February 2025 and hopes to launch services to India next financial year. Váradi also noted the importance of Hungary, Austria, and Italy to the carrier’s operation which could provide some indication for the possible future routes.

“We are going to receive the very first XLR in nine months, in February 2025. And we will have 47 of those aircraft coming in. With regard to India…We are in discussions with the (Indian) government and the regulator, and also in Europe… From Europe, we are a designated carrier from Italy, Austria and Hungary… We are talking to the Indian side to make sure that the designation is recognised, accepted and approved,”

The carrier’s focus remains on Central and Eastern Europe for expansion, as the CEO had noted when it first ordered the A321XLR in 2019:

“The inherent aircraft economics of the Airbus A321XLR will widen our competitive advantage for stimulating demand for air travel in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond while minimizing our environmental footprint. The A320neo family aircraft are game-changing aircraft that enhance Wizz Air’s low fare model and undisputed cost leadership in Europe.”

The 2019 order consisted of 20 XLRS and was followed up with the addition of 27 more in 2021. According to ch-aviation data, the main Wizz Air branch (W6) expects to take 45, while Wizz Air Abu Dhabi (5W) and Wizz Air UK (W9) will induct one each.

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Is Delhi to London on the cards?

As mentioned, the airline had already noted the possibility of India-Europe flights with the XLR back in 2023. Speaking to Aviation Week at the time, the CEO said that the obvious plan would be to connect Abu Dhabi with India first before going further. This would allow passengers to connect in Abu Dhabi from a Europe-originating Wizz Air service.

“Over the longer run, we would be interested in connecting India directly to the European network, especially when the A321XLR becomes available to us.”

“I expect our first Airbus A321XLR toward the end of next year. The aircraft can do Delhi-London nonstop, for example … not from the whole of India, [but] from some parts of it.”

On the Delhi-London sector, Vistara, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways all operate with widebody aircraft. Wizz Air could seize the opportunity to operate on the sector as the only low-cost airline. As previously reported, London Luton was already floated as an anticipated base for the type. Solidifying its position in the market now might help to mitigate the impact of a potential IndiGo entry with its new A350 fleet as of 2027.

Photo: Airbus

Nevertheless, while this seems to indicate the possibility of London-India flights, it’s worth remembering that only one A321XLR is allocated to the UK-based subsidiary.

Where else could the airline fly?

Instead of the UK, services from Central and Eastern Europe seem more plausible: flight times are inevitably lower on flights between Hungary and India than, say, Brussels to India. A lower flight time means more opportunities for additional rotations with the same aircraft and a more comfortable flying experience.

After all, Wizz Air’s extensive European network from the region could allow for some connecting options even if the airline operates on a point-to-point model.

“Today, we are flying a number of 5-6 hour routes with great satisfaction to our customers, so the XLR will extend our outstanding value and service proposition on routes of 7-8 hours of flying.”

The aircraft’s range allows it to fly pretty much anywhere in Europe. See the map below for reference.

Photo: Airbus

Booking data from last year indicates heavy demand in East and Central Europe to destinations in India. In 2023, the sector had approximately 1.2 million roundtrip passengers. While Moscow features regularly in the list of top sectors, it is unlikely to be an option for the Hungarian low-cost airline. More realistic routes are listed below in descending order of roundtrip passengers in 2023:

• Budapest (BUD) to Delhi (DEL): 25,064
• Mumbai (BOM) to Warsaw (WAW): 23,167
• Delhi (DEL) to Prague (PRG): 22,526
• Mumbai (BOM) to Budapest (BUD): 18,866
• Mumbai (BOM) to Prague (PRG): 18,236

Note that the launch of direct low-cost flights will likely further encourage demand in all of the possible markets. The carrier says one-way flights could start at just €200. Váradi said:

“Currently, when I talk to Indians living in different parts of Europe, one of the biggest issues is that it is so expensive to fly (to India). That is what is going to change, and I think that needs to change. It would be great for the economy and great for the Indian people.”

Where do you think Wizz Air might fly to with its A321XLR? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.