Hungary’s low-cost carrier Wizz Air has picked up 15 daily slot pairs from Norwegian Air Shuttle at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in the UK.
Additionally, Wizz Air plans to base four additional A321neo aircraft at LGW as part of its expansion strategy.
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Starting from spring 2022, the air carrier will have five aircraft based at the airport under its British unit, Wizz Air UK.
Norwegian Air Shuttle gave up its LGW slots as it overhauled its operations to focus on short-haul.
Norwegian budget carrier said: “These are excess slots Norwegian does not intend to operate following the airline’s decision to discontinue long haul operations in January 2021 and could have been lost unless disposed.”
Wizz Air chief executive József Váradi said: “Acquiring airport slots at Gatwick Airport will enable us to enhance our presence and competitive position in the London market.”
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By GlobalDataAdditional details regarding new routes from LGW will be provided by Wizz Air in near future.
These new slots are expected to provide “significant inbound opportunities” for Wizz Air Hungary.
Wizz Air has its biggest base at London Luton airport.
Last month, the carrier placed a new aircraft order at the Dubai Airshow, to increase its fleet to 500.
The order includes the procurement of 102 A321 aircraft, along with the options for a further 19 A321neo aircraft, as well as purchase rights for an additional 75 A321neo.
Last week, European Commission extended airport slot relief rules through next summer, running from 28 March 2022 until 29 October 2022.
