Wizz Air Raises 2026 Growth Outlook with Fleet Recovery

This article summarizes reporting by Bloomberg News (via Reuters). The original report may be paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

Wizz Air Raises Growth Outlook Amid Fleet Recovery

Wizz Air has significantly increased its growth projections for the 2026 period, signaling a robust recovery from recent operational challenges. According to reporting by Bloomberg News, CEO József Váradi announced that the budget carrier is now targeting a 20% increase in capacity, a sharp upward revision from the more conservative guidance issued just two months ago.

The revised outlook marks a pivot for the airlines, which had previously scaled back expectations due to supply chain constraints and ongoing engine inspections. Bloomberg reports that the renewed confidence stems from two key factors: the faster-than-anticipated return of grounded aircraft to service and the continued delivery of new jets from Airbus SE.

Reversing the Downward Trend

In November 2025, Wizz Air reduced its growth forecast to approximately 10-12%, down from an earlier estimate in the “low teens.” At the time, the airline cited the impact of mandatory inspections on Pratt & Whitney GTF (Geared Turbofan) engines, which forced the grounding of a significant portion of its fleet.

However, recent developments have allowed the carrier to reverse course. As reported by Bloomberg, Váradi indicated that the airline is successfully “adding Airbus SE jets and returning grounded planes to the skies.” This operational stabilization has provided the necessary capacity to support the new 20% growth target.

Fleet Availability Improving

The primary constraint on Wizz Air’s operations has been the grounding of Commercial-Aircraft requiring long-duration maintenance shop visits for their engines. According to industry data and the CEO’s remarks, the situation is improving rapidly:

• Peak Groundings: The airline previously saw nearly 60 jets grounded due to the powder metal defect in Pratt & Whitney engines.
• Current Status: The number of grounded aircraft has dropped to approximately 38 to 40 as of early 2026.
• Future Target: Wizz Air aims to have its entire fleet ungrounded and back in service by the end of 2027.

In addition to reactivating existing aircraft, the airline continues to integrate new Airbus A321neo and A321XLR jets into its network, further bolstering capacity.

Strategic Context and Market Impact

The updated guidance arrives shortly after Wizz Air made strategic adjustments to its long-term fleet planning. In November 2025, the airline deferred 88 aircraft Deliveries, originally scheduled for the 2030s, to 2033 to manage capital expenditure. Despite these long-term deferrals, near-term deliveries remain critical to achieving the 20% growth target for the coming year.

The airline has also been refining its network strategy, focusing on “densification” in mature markets such as Poland, Italy, and Hungary, while exiting underperforming routes to protect profitability.

AirPro News Analysis

The announcement represents a significant shift in narrative for Wizz Air, moving from a defensive posture defined by mitigation and cuts to an aggressive growth Strategy typical of the ultra-low-cost carrier model. By doubling its growth forecast from ~10% to 20% in the span of two months, management is effectively signaling to investors that the worst of the GTF engine crisis is under control.

While the CEO referenced “this fiscal year” in reports, the magnitude of the growth target (20%) suggests the projection is forward-looking, likely applying to the full 2026 calendar year or the upcoming fiscal year (FY2027), given that the current fiscal year ends in March 2026. This distinction is crucial for investors gauging the timeline of the capacity injection.

Sources: Reuters (citing Bloomberg News)