Wizz Air intends to reduce the number of its aircraft. flying departure from Gatwick in an attempt to reduce operating costs.
The Hungarian budget airline said it was rerouting “lower” departure slots from the UK's second-busiest airport to Luton will improve its financial performance.
The airline's CEO, József Varadi, tells the story. Telegraph: “Gatwick is expensive and we don’t have a full range of slots there.”
He said: “We think we can improve financial performance by operating this capacity from Luton.”
Wizz Air will begin by permanently moving one aircraft to the Bedfordshire aviation hub in the hope of achieving the “greatest profitability”.
The change will see Luton's fleet grow to 13 aircraft, of which only seven will operate at Gatwick.
The airline currently operates several direct flights from Gatwick to popular European cities including Budapest, Prague and Rome, as well as popular holiday destinations such as Malaga, Faro and Antalya.
Mr Varadi added: “You will have to expand your network to make a profit. We are simply more financially efficient in Luton.”
From Luton, Wizz Air flights connect to destinations in Spain including Barcelona, Madrid and Mallorca, as well as Turkish cities such as Dalaman and Istanbul.
As part of the changes, the London Gatwick to Athens route has been suspended and, from 15 December, three flights from Gatwick to Hurghada will be replaced by three flights from Gatwick to Tel Aviv.
This was announced by a Wizz Air representative. Independent: “Wizz Air UK confirms adjustments to its winter flight program at London Gatwick Airport (LGW), effective from 4 November 2025. This seasonal capacity adjustment supports the airline's broader strategy to optimize cost efficiency and operational sustainability.”
They added: “London Gatwick Airport remains an active and valuable part of the Wizz Air UK network, in addition to Luton Airport, where Wizz Air UK is the largest airport operator. Wizz Air UK is undertaking a strategic realignment of capacity at both airports to optimize performance.”
In September Plan for Gatwick's £2.2 billion second runway received the go-ahead from Transport Minister Heidi Alexander.
West Sussex Airport will move its emergency runway 12 meters north, allowing it to be used for around 100,000 extra flights a year from around 2029.
Jet2 will also be there start regular flights from London Gatwick airport in March 2026, adding to fierce competition at the Sussex hub.
The airline said it had “reserved space for six aircraft once additional capacity becomes available at the airport.”
The Airbus A321neo Jet2 aircraft will serve all key holiday airports in Spain, Faro in Portugal, Verona and Naples in Italy, as well as 10 destinations in Greece.
The new product faces intense competition. Gatwick is the home base of the UK's largest low-cost airline. EasyJetwhich has more than 70 aircraft based there, said CEO Kenton Jarvis.
Slots at Gatwick are “stuck” and Jet2 will be “very substandard compared to the established players,” a Wizz Air executive said.
Read more: What Gatwick Airport expansion really means for passengers and policymakers
