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Wizz Air growth continues to be constrained by engine recalls

Wizz Air saw a marginal rise in carryings in June as capacity continued to be limited by the continuing grounding of aircraft due to engine recalls.

Passenger numbers rose just 0.4% year-on-year to 5.3 million.

The Hungarian budget airline’s capacity growth was limited to just 0.7% in the first quarter of the year to 16.86 million seats.


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The carrier was forced to ground 45 Airbus aircraft at the end of March as GTF engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney were recalled.       

The total fleet rose by 10 aircraft to 218 at the end of June from 208 in March as the airline leased in smaller aircraft to maintain its network while others were grounded due to GTF engine inspections.

Following an update from Airbus last week on its revised manufacturing output, Wizz Air said today (Tuesday): “While the airline’s long-term growth plan remains unchanged, Wizz anticipates that this could impact the scheduled fleet programme in the coming years, as previously indicated.”

Rival Ryanair saw monthly passenger numbers rise by almost two million year-on-year in June from 17.4 million to 19.3 million with a load factor of 95%.   

Meanwhile, long-haul low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic Airways reported  an improved load factor, up two percentage points year-on-year in June to an average of 85% with the start of summer peak demand.

The airline flew 178,042 passengers across 620 flights last month.

Founder and chief executive Bjorn Tore Larsen said: “I am pleased to report that Norse Atlantic reached a load factor of 85% for the month of June as we fully ramped up flying on our own network while operating no charters. 

“This represents an increase in load factor compared to the same period last year while the number of flights operated increased by 77% during the month. 

“Norse Atlantic is looking forward to a busy summer ahead as we welcome both new and returning customers seeking great value long haul travel,”  

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