A budget airline is reducing the number of its flights to reduce costs. Wizz Air is scaling back flights at London Gatwick and shifting more of its operations to Luton Airport, after the airline said mounting expenses at Gatwick had pushed several routes into the red.

Chief executive Jozsef Varadi said that the company has been struggling with steep airport charges and departure slots that do little to support profitability. These pressures made it necessary to reconsider where the airline bases its aircraft.

According to Váradi, Luton offers a far more cost-effective operating environment.

"When the economics change, you have to adapt," he said.

Wizz Air will begin by transferring one aircraft to Luton, bringing its total there to 13, while the Gatwick fleet will shrink to seven.

Gatwick's long-running capacity issues have also contributed to the problem. The airport has been operating near its limit for years, and the premium attached to its slots and services has steadily increased.

A £2.2 billion project to bring a second runway into regular use is underway, but the upgrade isn't expected to be fully functional until the next decade.

Despite the shift, Varadi said that the airline does not intend to abandon Gatwick altogether.

Instead, he described the move as part of an ongoing effort to keep its network financially optimised. "It's about deploying aircraft where they deliver the strongest results," he said.

The operational changes come as Wizz Air prepares to test a new product for passengers seeking a more comfortable experience without traditional business-class prices.

The airline will launch a December trial of "Wizz Class," an add-on giving travellers access to extra amenities such as priority boarding, a carry-on bag with guaranteed overhead space, and the option to keep the middle seat free for additional room.