WOW air expands fast-growing fleet

WOW air, Iceland’s low-cost airline, has signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of four new A321 aircraft, the first direct sale to the airline from the aircraft manufacturer.

The deal was announced by WOW air founder and CEO Skúli Mogensen and Airbus president and CEO, Fabrice Brégier, with the new planes set to strengthen the airline’s network of 30 international routes across Europe and North America.

WOW air is an all Airbus operator with 11 aircraft in its current fleet, is set to grow to 17 Airbus aircraft by the end of next year. Two of the aircraft will be delivered in 2017 and with the remainder in 2018. The value of the deal is US$459.6 million at list prices.

Skúli Mogensen and Fabrice Brégier celebrate the deal

Skúli Mogensen, founder and CEO of WOW air said: “We are thrilled to be adding these brand new A321 aircraft to our fast growing fleet. WOW air is becoming one of the leading low-cost long haul airlines in the world and we look forward to expanding even further through our successful partnership with Airbus.”

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus president and CEO, said: “We are very pleased to welcome WOW air as a new Airbus customer. The new aircraft will fit seamlessly into the airline’s current all Airbus fleet, thanks to Airbus’ fleet commonality. The A321 will offer WOW air the lowest operational costs and the highest seat comfort and widest cabins for its passengers.”

The young fleet, which has an average age of 2.5 years, was recently expanded with the addition of three A330-300 aircraft that have a range of over 6,000 nautical miles and carry 350 passengers with a larger-than-average seat pitch of up to 35 inches. WOW air also operates two Airbus A320-200 and six A321 aircraft. All five have a range of 5.900 kilometres.