LONDON— Wizz Air (W6) has quietly withdrawn its longest scheduled flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Jeddah Airport (JED) and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Medina (MED), ending one of Europe’s most ambitious ultra-low-cost long-haul operations.
The routes have disappeared from the airline’s booking system only months after the carrier outlined plans to expand its Saudi Arabian network.
The decision marks a significant shift in Wizz Air’s fleet strategy, as the nearly seven-hour services were the primary missions designed to utilize the extended range of the Airbus A321XLR.
The move follows recent comments from company executives acknowledging that the aircraft no longer fits the airline’s evolving business model after major strategic changes.
Wizz Air A321XLR Cuts Saudi Routes
Passengers can no longer book nonstop Wizz Air flights between London Gatwick and the Saudi cities of Jeddah or Medina. The cancellations affect services that had become the airline group’s longest scheduled routes and were expected to play a key role in its long-range expansion.
Earlier this year, Wizz Air planned to strengthen its Saudi operations by increasing London-Jeddah flights to twice daily in 2026 while maintaining daily Medina services.
Instead, both routes have now been removed, ending the airline’s only scheduled flights that fully required the Airbus A321XLR’s additional range.
Speaking to Aviation Week, Group Chief Commercial Officer Ian Malin said the airline would continue evaluating opportunities for the aircraft but would otherwise operate them similarly to its standard A321neo fleet.
He added that Wizz Air would consider alternative missions only if they improved profitability without adding operational complexity.
Fleet Strategy Changes After Abu Dhabi
The route withdrawals reinforce Wizz Air’s broader shift in strategy following the closure of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi in 2025. That operation had originally been expected to serve as the launch platform for many of the carrier’s planned long-range A321XLR services.
After closing the Abu Dhabi joint venture, Wizz Air converted 36 of its 47 Airbus A321XLR orders into standard A321neo aircraft, reducing its planned XLR fleet to just 11 jets.
Executives cited geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, regulatory challenges, harsh operating conditions affecting Pratt & Whitney engines, and limited long-range opportunities within Europe as the main reasons behind the decision.
The airline has also confirmed that the remaining A321XLR aircraft will generally operate alongside the A321neo fleet rather than forming a dedicated long-haul operation.
Future A321XLR Fleet Strategy
With the Saudi Arabian routes removed, Wizz Air now has few scheduled services that require the Airbus A321XLR’s extended range. Most destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Caucasus already fall comfortably within the capabilities of the Airbus A321neo, Simple Flying reported.
The airline has repeatedly ruled out scheduled transatlantic operations and remains cautious about expanding deeper into the Middle East or Africa due to operational and geopolitical risks.
As a result, the A321XLR will likely serve mainly as a flexible fleet asset rather than the centerpiece of a new long-haul network.
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