European budget carrier Wizz Air has made significant reductions in aircraft noise levels and emissions at Luton Airport.
Airport-Suppliers reports the low-cost airline has not only reduced its environmental impact but has also reduced its fuel bill.
WIZZ AIR LUTON AIRPORT
Hungarian ultra-low-cost carrier Wizz Air has made significant sustainability enhancements by bringing forward the service entry date of its next-generation aircraft at London’s Luton Airport.
Luton Airport reports that all of Wizz Air’s aircraft based at the airport are quieter and more fuel-efficient Airbus A321 Neos.
The announcement follows an agreement between the airline and the airport, to introduce the new generation aircraft a year earlier than originally planned.
WIZZ AIR NOISE AND AIRCRAFT EMISSIONS
Wizz introduced Airbus A321Neo aircraft into its Luton-based fleet on 31st March 2024.
These aircraft will deliver a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and half the amount of emissions compared to Wizz Air’s previous aircraft operating at Luton.
This is based on the comparison between Airbus A320neo and Airbus A320ceo aircraft families.
“London Luton Airport is very important to Wizz Air and remains a focus for continuous investment. We already have strong sustainability credentials, operating with the youngest fleet in the UK. We are focused on new technology and innovation and feel confident that fleet renewal is a key solution available here and now to reduce emissions from aviation. Replacing older aircraft at our London Luton Airport (LLA) base with the newest and more fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo is part of our long-term fleet renewal strategy to reduce carbon intensity by 25% by 2030. We are delighted to work together with LLA on finding new solutions that help us to reach our targets.”
Marion Geoffroy, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK
LONDON LUTON AIRPORT
The initiative is indicative of the airport’s ambitious commitments becoming reality, through Luton’s Responsible Business Strategy.
This sets out how the airport will minimise both environmental and societal impacts of its operations while making travel more sustainable.
“This agreement with Wizz Air establishes a new-generation fleet of quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft at London Luton Airport that will significantly reduce carbon through lower emissions. As part of our efforts to achieve Net Zero for airport emissions by 2040, we are continually looking to address sustainability challenges and achieve carbon reductions in line with our Responsible Business Strategy commitments. Our partners also play a critical role in helping us meet our environmental responsibilities and this milestone is the latest example of the advances we are making by working together with airlines.”
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport
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SUSTAINABILITY AT LUTON AIRPORT
London Luton Airport is one of the UK’s busiest airports, carrying over 16.2 million passengers in 2023.
The airport handles mainly scheduled flights operated by European budget carriers.
According to aviation intelligence and data specialist RDC Aviation Data, proportionally more flights from Luton were operated using new-generation aircraft than all other major European airports between April and August 2023.
Last year, Luton became one of the first major UK airports to achieve Level 4 of the globally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme.
The achievement demonstrates that Luton is ‘transforming its operations to achieve carbon reductions in line with global climate goals’.
