Low-cost airline Wizz Air is drawing up a flight plan to offer UK services to the Middle East and Asia as part of an ambitious long-haul expansion strategy.
It currently focuses on the European short-haul market but could offer British travellers destinations such as the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Saudi Arabia, say reports.
Marion Geoffroy (pictured), managing director of Wizz Air UK, told the Financial Times that the carrier will use some of the 47 new longer-range single-aisle A321XLR planes it has on order from Airbus on the routes.
The aircraft is slated to enter service in 2024.
Wizz Air has already outlined plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and has established a low-fares subsidiary in Abu Dhabi.
The airline said that its ultra-low-cost-carrier model “is proven to develop markets by making air travel affordable for more people than ever before”.
Flight Global said Geoffroy is “looking east” for potential XLR operations and not aiming to join the “ultra-competitive” transatlantic market.
She says passengers will not be deterred by the prospect of flying for seven or eight hours on a single-aisle aircraft, because the seating is “comfortable” and personal devices offer in-flight entertainment.