Wizz Air experienced a 2% increase in passenger numbers in December 2024, reaching over 5 million travelers, despite grounding approximately 40 aircraft due to ongoing engine issues.
The airline reported 5.06 million customers for the month, with a 3.1% reduction in available seats compared to December 2023, totaling around 5.8 million seats. This led to an improved load factor of 86.5%, up from 82.1% at the end of 2023. Wizz Air noted that early bookings for the fourth quarter, ending March 2025, are over two percentage points ahead of the same period last year.
Earlier this week, Wizz Air reached compensation terms with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to address the grounding of about 40 aircraft due to "powder metal issues" in the company's geared turbofan engines. The grounding is expected to continue throughout the 2026 financial year. Pratt & Whitney will provide operational support and a compensation package covering direct costs related to the grounded aircraft. Broader negotiations on engine selection are ongoing.
In response to the engine problems, Wizz Air plans to purchase approximately 50 new Airbus A321NEO aircraft, aiming to increase seat capacity by about 20% and raise the proportion of this aircraft type to 77% of its fleet.
The airline also reported a 3.4% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, with emissions per passenger decreasing by 4.1% from last year to 53.7 grams of CO₂.
In November, a former Wizz Air executive was fined £125,000 by the Financial Conduct Authority for trading company shares ahead of its financial results.