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Wizz Air Starts Moving Gatwick Capacity to Luton to Cut Costs

Executives say costly operations and inferior slots at Gatwick make Luton the more profitable base.

Overview

  • The airline will permanently relocate one aircraft from Gatwick to Luton, taking Luton's based fleet to 13 and reducing Gatwick to 7.
  • Chief executive József Váradi said Gatwick's high fees and weak slot timings have made operations unprofitable, though Wizz will maintain a presence there.
  • Váradi described the move as the start of an ongoing reallocation of capacity toward airports that deliver stronger returns.
  • Gatwick's approved £2.2 billion second runway is years from operation and does not address Wizz's near‑term slot and cost issues.
  • Wizz will also trial a paid 'Wizz Class' option from December on selected routes, offering a blocked middle seat, priority boarding, a carry‑on bag and guaranteed overhead bin space.