Every time we talk about new developments for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, it seems a little surreal, given what’s going on in the world. While airlines around the world are seeking government bailouts and embarking on huge cost reductions (which include massive layoffs), Wizz Air is essentially starting a new airline. Well, the Middle East’s latest low-cost carrier continues to move towards reality as this week, one of its new aircraft was spotted in Hamburg.
The first A321neo for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
Tobias Gudat (Twitter: @Tobias_Gudat) posted a few photos to social media of the new jet. The aircraft was spotted at Airbus’ Hamburg Finkenwerder facilities. It is at this site that Airbus operates two Airbus A320 family production facilities.
Below is the post which offers three shots of Wiz Air Abu Dhabi’s shiny new aircraft:
first #A321neo for #Wizz Air Abu Dhabi A6-
ex A321NX for Wizz Air HA-LVJ pic.twitter.com/toknFJldQc— Tobi (@Tobias_Gudat) August 3, 2020
As you can see from the post and imagery, the aircraft has been assigned registration HA-LVJ/A6-AWB, with temporary test registration D-AVVA.
The single-aisle aircraft is configured in an all-economy class layout with 239 seats.
Three registration codes?
We recently wrote an article about aircraft registration codes, going in-depth with the purpose, history, and pattern of these markings. However, we never had the opportunity to discuss test registrations. Looking at data available on this brand new A321neo – how does it already have three registrations?
The very first one, D-AVVA, is easy. Before the aircraft is officially handed over to the customer, it is still with the manufacturer. The manufacturer, in this case Airbus, will need to test the plane to make sure all systems are functioning correctly. This will include some time in the air. Thus it will need to be officially registered to do this. As registration markings for Germany begin with D, this is how we get D-AVVA.
The other two registrations, HA-LVJ and A6-AWB, have to do with this particular business model. Wizz Air is based in Hungary, and all aircraft registered in the country are given the prefix HA. However, the new airline, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, is based in the United Arab Emirates. All aircraft registered there have the prefix A6.
As we understand it, an aircraft can only have one registration at a time. Therefore, it seems most likely that this new A321neo was transferred from Wizz Air (Hungary) to Wizz Air Abu Dhabi while Airbus was still preparing it.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is set to launch this October and will begin by flying two new Airbus A321neo jets on six routes out of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Tickets are already on sale through the airline’s website.
The new airline subsidiary will fly to the following destinations from Abu Dhabi:
- Kutaisi (Georgia): Flying on Thursdays and Sundays
- Odesa (Ukraine): Flying on Thursdays, Sundays
- Alexandria (Egypt): Flying on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Athens (Greece): Flying on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Larnaca (Cyprus): Flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Yerevan (Armenia): Flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Shareef Al Hashmi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, says that the airport is delighted to bring the airline to its hub, and with it, several new destinations and opportunities for connecting travel.
Are you excited about the Middle Eastern expansion of Wizz Air? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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