In a significant strategic shift, the budget carrier Wizz Air has announced it will slash the number of flights operating from London Gatwick Airport. The move is a direct response to financial losses the airline has been suffering at the major UK travel hub.
Profitability Drives Airport Switch
József Váradi, the Chief Executive of the Budapest-based airline, stated unequivocally that Wizz Air was losing money on its Gatwick routes. He attributed these losses to two primary factors: high operating fees and an inferior set of departure slots that were poorly timed. Gatwick has been operating at near-full capacity for years, leading to increased costs for airlines based there.
Váradi explained that the solution is to move more of the airline's capacity to London Luton Airport, where business costs are lower. "Gatwick is expensive and we have been operating an inferior set of slots there," he said. "We think that we can enhance financial performance by operating that capacity from Luton."
Fleet Reallocation Begins
The transition will begin with the relocation of a single aircraft from Gatwick to Luton. This adjustment means that 13 Wizz Air aircraft will now operate from Luton, cementing its status as the airline's primary London base. Consequently, the Gatwick fleet will be reduced to seven planes.
Váradi emphasised that the airline must be dynamic and responsive to changing circumstances. "Circumstances change and you have to take action," he noted. "Whichever bases give you the most profitability, you should be biased toward them. That includes moving aircraft over from Gatwick to Luton."
Gatwick's Future and Wizz's New Premium Class
Despite the scaling back, Wizz Air has no plans to completely abandon Gatwick Airport. The CEO described it as a necessary 'churn' of the network for profit, stating, "We are simply more efficient financially in Luton." This decision comes even as Gatwick works on a new £2.2 billion runway project, which will eventually double passenger capacity. However, this new runway, being constructed from an emergency landing strip, is not expected to be fully operational until the 2030s.
In a separate development aimed at boosting revenue, Wizz Air revealed last month that it will soon trial a business class-style ticket called 'Wizz Class'. The trial is scheduled for December on select routes from London, Rome, Warsaw, Bucharest, and Budapest.
Passengers paying for Wizz Class will receive several premium features, including:
- The ability to block the middle seat for more space.
- Priority boarding.
- A dedicated carry-on bag and overhead bin space.
Michael Delehant, an airline executive, assured that the new ticket "is never going to be more than buying the cost of another seat" and is "not meant to be a money-grab." The premium fare does not, however, include any complimentary food or drink. According to commercial officer Silvia Mosquera, the trial responds to growing demand from travellers, including business customers, seeking more comfort and a quicker exit from the aircraft.
