European low-cost carrier Wizz Air is actively evaluating engine maintenance strategies and contingency plans as it grapples with ongoing disruptions from Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine issues, while simultaneously preparing for a major fleet expansion. The airline currently anticipates 34 aircraft will remain grounded through September 2025 due to engine-related maintenance, though this represents an improvement from 42 grounded jets at the end of March.
Financial Impact and Operational Adaptation
The engine challenges contributed to a 60% decline in operating profit, which fell to €167.5 million ($191 million) for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Despite these headwinds, CEO Jozsef Varadi emphasized the airline achieved profitability for the second consecutive year through improved utilization of operational aircraft and strategic wet-leasing arrangements. The carrier’s capacity remained stable year-over-year thanks to these mitigation efforts and the receipt of 26 new A321neos and 14 spare engines during the period.
Long Maintenance Timelines Persist
Wizz Air continues to work with an assumed 300-day average turnaround time for engine shop visits, reflecting the extensive repairs required for affected PW1100G powerplants. However, the proportion of grounded aircraft within the total fleet is decreasing as the airline takes delivery of new Airbus narrowbodies and works through its maintenance backlog. This gradual improvement suggests the operational crisis may have peaked, with Varadi describing the current period as a “transformation point” for the business.
Revised Fleet Expansion Plans
The airline has adjusted its delivery schedule for 138 A321neos scheduled over the next three years, with the amended plan now projecting a fleet of 305 aircraft by March 2028 – down from previous expectations of 380 jets. This recalibration accounts for both engine reliability challenges and evolving market conditions, while still representing significant growth from the current fleet of 231 aircraft.
Engine Selection Considerations
As part of its strategic planning, Wizz Air is conducting a thorough powerplant evaluation for its future aircraft, weighing maintenance requirements, reliability data, and total cost of ownership. This decision carries particular significance given the airline’s experience with current-generation engines and its ambitious growth targets in the competitive European short-haul market.
