Wizz Air’s UK unit has formally applied to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) for authority to operate flights between the UK and U.S., a move that would clear the regulatory path for the ULCC to operate transatlantic services.
The carrier has requested both an exemption and a foreign air carrier permit to allow it to offer scheduled and charter services between the countries “to the full extent allowed” under the U.S.-UK open skies agreement. The airline asked for expedited processing so it can begin services “as soon as possible.”
The application does not name specific routes, launch dates or aircraft types. However, it seeks broad authority to operate passenger and cargo services from points behind the UK via the UK and intermediate points to any destination in the U.S. and beyond, as well as charter cargo services between the U.S. and third countries.
Wizz Air UK currently operates a fleet of 21 Airbus A321 aircraft, including three A321XLRs. The airline says it intends only to conduct passenger charter service at present, but is seeking full scheduled authority to avoid having to submit a new application in the future if it launches regular services.
The move comes as Wizz Air is repositioning the A321XLR as a UK-focused growth aircraft. The carrier confirmed in November that it had reduced its XLR commitment from 47 aircraft to 11 and deferred nearly 90 Airbus deliveries by three years as it recalibrates fleet growth and navigates prolonged Pratt & Whitney GTF engine groundings.
CEO József Váradi has said the future XLR fleet will largely be “limited to the UK,” describing the country as a “significant market opportunity” after the airline exited its Abu Dhabi joint venture and pulled back from “hot and harsh” operating environments that accelerate engine wear.
CFO Ian Malin said in October that turnaround times on affected engines remained stuck at “300-plus days,” describing the situation as “extremely frustrating.” Wizz does not expect all grounded aircraft to return to service until late 2027.
The carrier has never operated scheduled transatlantic service, but the A321XLR’s range and economics make thinner UK-U.S. routes viable for low-cost operators. Wizz Air declined to comment on the DOT application.
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