Central and Eastern European low-cost airline specialist, Wizz Air, has confirmed it will slightly modify its existing model by introducing a second aircraft type to its fleet. While maintaining the one fleet family concept, the budget carrier has confirmed it will switch 26 of its outstanding orders for the A320, for the larger A321 variant.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 aircraft family, and has a longer range compared to the A320. While it has the same wingspan and operational systems to the A320, it is seven metres longer and can accommodate 40 additional passenger seats per aircraft. According to Wizz Air the larger capacity will enable the carrier to “accommodate its ongoing route network expansion” and maintain “low ticket prices”.

As part of its ‘Go East’ strategy Wizz Air has recently expanded its network into countries such as Israel, Azerbaijan, UAE and Russia and the larger A321s are expected to fly on some of these new routes, while also enabling capacity to be increased on some trunk routes within Europe.

The HUB first revealed about Wizz Air’s interest in A321 earlier this year when the carrier’s chief executive officer, József Váradi revealed at Routes Europe in Budapest, Hungary, that the carrier was considering the type. In an interview at the forum he said: “We think the A320 could be coupled with the A321. The A321 is a good aircraft. It gives more efficiency economically to the business and doesn’t bring complexity to the operating model. This is something we are looking at right now.”

However, he revealed at this time that there was no plans to expand beyond its short-haul activities and that its network will remain within the five hour flight sector envelope. “We don’t want to go beyond this framework. It is important for us that we retain our single family fleet concept and model of simplicity and efficiency. This has been one of the cornerstones of our success and this has given us a competitive advantage. We will remain a single fleet type operation with high utilisation and brand new aircraft,” he said.

You can see the full exclusive Routes Europe interview, below.