Wizz Air’s A321XLR, the latest jewel from Airbus, will operate on the Milan-Malpensa to Abu Dhabi route from 2 June 2025.
The A321XLR is “our X factor” says CEO Varadi“The new A321XLR is ‘our ‘X factor,” says Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air, confirming the debut of the innovative new aircraft on the Milan Malpensa-Abu Dhabi route next year. Operated in just over seven hours the route will be served by daily frequencies, with a €99.99 launch fare. “The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class and, thanks to its longer range, allows us to connect the most distant destinations in our network and expand it further.
Wizz Air Milano A321XLR
There is strong demand for low-cost to the UAE
“The A32XLR can boast 30% less carbon intensity than other aircraft. We are already operating several ultra-low-cost routes of 5-6 hours, and the XLR will extend our proposal to 7-8 hour flights.” The first delivery of the A321XLR, configured with 236 seats, is expected “next March, but Airbus’ delays do not allow us to be certain.” The low-cost entry on the route to Abu Dhabi responds “to a strong demand for low-cost connections between Milan and the United Arab Emirates. This new route will revolutionize the concept of medium-haul travel.”
Wizz Air operates on 92 destinations in 38 countries
The Hungarian low-cost thus relaunches its commitment to Malpensa, where it opened a base in 2020. “The first in Italy, followed by Rome Fiumicino, Venice, Catania and Naples.” A network that how counts 92 destinations in 38 countries, with 23 A321neo aircraft based and almost 90 million passengers transported, since the start of operations in Italy. “Today in Italy we have a market share of some 10%, which we count on doubling in the short term.”
Brunini, Sea: “Malpensa is the right place for the A321XLR”
Courageous and innovative: this is how Armando Brunini, CEO of Sea Milan Airports, defines Wizz Air. “We are honoured that Malpensa is the launching market for the new Airbus A321XLR. Milan and Lombardy represent a large market. We are one of the two-three most important airports in terms of network extension and long-haul presence without a hub carrier, and this shows the market's importance. And Wizz Air has understood this. The XLR marries our strategy of making Malpensa an airport that looks increasingly far ahead.”
In the plans: Italy-India Wizz Air flights
Varadi also confirms that the flight to Abu Dhabi “is only the beginning. We have many ideas for the A321XLR2. And among these is certainly that of “a direct flight between Italy and India: the latter is still an under-served market. It will be a long journey, but a new route from Italy could make a lot of sense.”
