Luton: Wizz Air UK has switched base to Neo-Jets – Aviation.Direct

London Kuton Airport has confirmed that all aircraft operated by Wizz Air at the airport are now quieter and more environmentally friendly Airbus A32neos. The announcement comes after an agreement between both parties that will see the new generation of aircraft introduced a year earlier than originally planned.

The switch to the Airbus A321neo aircraft, in operation since March 31, 2024, will enable a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and half of nitrogen oxide emissions compared to Wizz Air’s previous aircraft.

This initiative is another example of the ambitious commitments being implemented as part of London-Luton’s Responsible Business Strategy, which sets out how the airport will minimize the environmental and social impact of its operations while making travel more sustainable.

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer of London Luton Airport, comments: “This agreement with Wizz Air represents a new generation fleet of quieter and greener aircraft at London Luton Airport, which will significantly contribute to carbon reduction through lower emissions. As part of our efforts to achieve net-zero emissions for airports by 2040, we continually seek solutions to sustainability challenges and target carbon reductions in line with our Responsible Business Strategy commitments. Our partners also play a critical role in helping us meet our environmental commitments, and this milestone is the latest example of the progress we are making by working with airlines.”

Marion Geoffroy, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, said: “London Luton Airport is very important to Wizz Air and remains a focus for continued investment. We already have strong sustainability credentials and operate the youngest fleet in the UK. We focus on new technologies and innovations and are confident that fleet renewal is an important solution to reduce aviation emissions. Replacing older aircraft at our London Luton Airport base with the newest and more efficient Airbus A321neo is part of our long-term fleet renewal strategy to reduce carbon intensity by 2030 percent by 25. We look forward to working with London-Luton to find new solutions that will enable us to achieve our goals.”

London-Luton is one of only three major airports in the UK to have achieved Level 4 of the globally recognized Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme, demonstrating that they are transforming their operations to achieve carbon reductions in line with global climate targets. London-Luton has also been ranked as an industry leader for two consecutive years in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) benchmark for sustainability leadership, management and performance of major infrastructure assets worldwide.

According to data from aviation intelligence and data specialist RDC Aviation Data, London-Luton operated a percentage of new-generation aircraft flights in the April-August 2023 period than any other major European airport.