The budget airline said mounting expenses at Gatwick had pushed several routes into the red, forcing a rethink of where its aircraft are based.

Chief executive Jozsef Varadi said steep airport charges and limited departure slots had made it increasingly difficult to operate profitably from Gatwick.

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

He added that Luton offers a more cost-effective operating environment and greater flexibility for growth. The airline will transfer one aircraft to Luton, bringing its total there to 13, while its Gatwick fleet will shrink to seven.

Gatwick’s long-standing capacity issues have also played a part, with demand for take-off slots driving up costs.

A £2.2 billion project to bring a second runway into regular use is underway but not expected to be fully operational until the next decade.

Varadi said the airline has no plans to leave Gatwick completely: "It’s about deploying aircraft where they deliver the strongest results."

The carrier is also trialling “Wizz Class” this December, offering passengers added comfort without business-class prices.