In an interview with aeroTELEGRAPH in July, Recaro CEO Mark Hiller announced that the seat manufacturer had won «some major orders» despite the current crisis. At that time he could not reveal any further details. Now it is clear: There is a huge order on the books.
Recaro has signed a contract with Wizz Air for 31,767 passenger seats. The economy seat type SL3710 will be installed on 146 Airbus aircraft of the Hungarian low-cost carrier, starting in 2021. This is the newest and, at around eight kilograms, the lightest seat model of the German manufacturer.
A total of 96,000 seats
But that is not all. The deal with the Hungarian airline is only part of an even bigger order. In total, Recaro will supply 96,000 SL3710 seats to Wizz Air parent Indigo Partners and its airlines. The investment company, based in the United States in Phoenix, Arizona, also holds shares in Frontier Airlines (USA), Volaris (Mexico) and Jetsmart (Chile).
According to Recaro, it is the largest seat order in the history of the Schwäbisch Hall-based German company. Hiller spoke of a milestone for the company and of «possibly the fastest ramp-up of an order we have ever experienced».
Wizz Air in attack mode
«We have many opportunities at the moment», Wizz Air CEO József Varadi said in June in an interview with aeroTELEGRAPH. «Covid-19 has not only put airlines under pressure, but also airports. Many airports are begging us for our capacity».
Many open orders at Airbus
As of the end of July, Wizz Air has outstanding orders with Airbus for 37 A320 Neo and 226 A321 Neo. Currently, the low-cost carrier's fleet consists of 117 total aircraft.
In the image gallery above you can see the seat of Recaro bought by the low-cost airlines.
German seat manufacturer Recaro scores big
Aircraft of Wizz Air: Inside the cabin ...
... there will be new seats by Recaro, starting in 2021. ...
... The model SL3710 weighs only about eight kilograms per seat and is therefore said to decrease fuel use.
