Hungarian ultra-low-cost airline carrier Wizz Air is the first European client to receive an Airbus A321neo aircraft directly from Airbus’ Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Tianjin, China.
This follows the first Chinese-built A321neo aircraft delivered to Shanghai-based Juneyao Air in 2023.
The A321neo aircraft, the member of the A320 family with the longest fuselage, can carry up to 244 passengers with a flight range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km).
Wizz Air group CEO József Váradi said: “As the most efficient single-aisle aircraft flying today, the Airbus A321neo is our aircraft of choice. As well as delivering exceptional operating economics, it provides the foundation from which to maintain our position as one of the world’s most sustainable airlines. This will help ensure we continue to decrease our carbon intensity per passenger, even as we grow.
“Today marks an important milestone, with the Airbus A321neo accounting for more than 50% of our fleet for the first time. It is fitting that we mark the occasion by becoming the first European customer to take delivery of an aircraft from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin.”
The A321neo aircraft was assembled at the FAL in Tianjin, the first Airbus commercial aircraft assembly line outside of Europe.
According to Airbus, since the first delivery from Tianjin in 2009 the assembly line has delivered over 600 aircraft during its 14 years in operation.
Airbus Tianjin Delivery Center GM Christoph Schrempp highlighted how this agreement has demonstrated the capabilities of the FAL in China.
Schrempp said: “The delivery is a milestone for Airbus Tianjin. Against the backdrop of China's strong economic recovery, FAL Asia has continued to boost its assembling capacity, helping to meet the demand of more international customers and injecting new impetus into the global aviation market.”
Airbus is set to open a second FAL at its Chinese plant in Tianjin before the end of 2025.
The Hungarian carrier said it aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions per passenger by a third in the next 7 years, and the purchase of a "young fleet of A320, A321ceo and A321neo aircraft" is part of that plan.
China reached an important milestone in May 2023 as the country’s first domestically produced passenger jet, the C919, completed its first commercial flight.
