Summary

  • Wizz Air A321neo returned to Krakow airport after engine shutdown during flight, landing safely.
  • The aircraft involved is a 4-year-old Airbus A321neo parked at Krakow since the incident.
  • Wizz Air has a young fleet, with 222 aircraft at an average age of 4.5 years; recent leadership changes.

A Wizz Air Airbus A321neo aircraft was forced to return to Kraków Airport (KRK) after one of its engines was shut down by the pilots.

The incident details

The

Wizz Air

Airbus A321neo aircraft, registered as 9H-WBU, was performing a routine flight between Krakow Airport (KRK) in Poland and Stavanger Sola Airport (SVG) in Norway when the flight crew noticed a vibration in one of the aircraft’s engines at approximately 6,000 feet (1.8 kilometers).

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Airbus A321neo

Photo: Wizz Air

As a result, the flight crew shut down the engine and returned to Kraków for a safe landing on runway 25 about 30 minutes after departure. The State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL) said in a statement seen by The Aviation Herald:

“During the climb after takeoff at an altitude of approximately 6,000 ft, engine vibration occurred, and then the engine shut down. The captain of the aircraft decided to return to the departure airport and reported PAN PAN. The engine remained shut down for the remainder of the flight. The approach and landing were uneventful.”

About the aircraft

The aircraft in question is a four-year-old Airbus A321neo jet operated by Wizz Air. Delivered in 2020, it initially served with Wizz Air until 2022, when it became part of the Wizz Air Malta fleet, a subsidiary of the low-cost carrier, as per Planespotters.net data.

According to Flightradar24.com data, the aircraft has not been operational since the incident on July 24, 2024. The A321neo is currently parked at KRK airport.

Currently, Wizz Air Holdings has a total of 222 aircraft in its fleet at an average age of 4.5 years. The all-Airbus fleet comprises 174 Airbus A321s, 47 Airbus A320s, and a single Airbus A330 widebody.

A Wizz Air Airbus A321 taking off

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis | Shutterstock

Notably, the budget carrier operates one of the youngest fleets in Europe. Wizz Air’s main low-cost rival, Ryanair, operates a fleet with an average age of 9.7 years, while easyJet has a fleet with an average age of 10 years. However, it is worth noting that both rivals have a larger number of aircraft in their fleets than Wizz Air.

Recent changes in Wizz Air’s leadership

In July 2024, the Hungary-based airline announced changes in its leadership. In a leadership reshuffle, the President of Wizz Air, Robert Carey, has resigned from his duties. The carrier stated that he was leaving to pursue other interests.

He has been president of the low-cost airline since June 2021, having previously worked at Delta Air Lines, easyJet., and America West Airlines.

Following Carey’s departure, three executives have been promoted to senior positions within the budget airline. Michael Delehant, currently the Chief Operating Officer, will become the Chief Commercial and Operations Officer. Diarmuid O’Conghaile, the Managing Director of Wizz Air Malta, will take over as Chief Operating Officer of Wizz Air Malta. Mauro Peneda, the Head of Operations Control, will assume O’Conghaile’s previous role.

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Wizz Air Announces Leadership Changes As President Departs

Three Wizz Air executives were promoted after the airline’s president, Robert Carey, announced his departure.

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