Wizz Air
Template:Short description Template:Infobox airline Template:Infobox airline
Wizz Air Holdings Plc., stylized as W!ZZ, is a Hungarian ultra low-cost airline group headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. The company includes subsidiaries Wizz Air Hungary, Wizz Air Malta, and Wizz Air UK. The airlines serve numerous cities across Europe, as well as some destinations in North Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia. As of 2023, the airline group has its largest bases at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, and London Luton Airport and flies to 194 airports.<ref name="auto3" /> Its parent company, Wizz Air Holdings plc, is registered in Jersey and listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The oldest airline of the group is Wizz Air Hungary Ltd. (Template:Langx) and has its head office in Budapest. Wizz Air Hungary has the largest fleet of any Hungarian airline.
History
Foundation and early years
Wizz Air Hungary was established in September 2003. The founder, József Váradi, was previously CEO of struggling Hungarian state-owned airline Malév Hungarian Airlines,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> until he was removed from office by the Medgyessy government in 2003.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The lead investor is Indigo Partners, an American private equity firm<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> specialising in transportation investments. The first flight was made from Katowice International Airport on 19 May 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 25 February 2015, Wizz Air shares began trading on the London Stock Exchange.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2017, Wizz Air announced its planned launch of a British division called Wizz Air UK, based at London Luton mainly to take advantage of landing slots acquired when Monarch Airlines entered administration that year. The airline applied successfully to the CAA for an AOC and a Type A Operating Licence. The airline launched operations in March 2018 using British registered aircraft. Wizz Air UK was to start taking over UK-bound flights previously operated by Wizz Air, and plans called for the airline to employ up to 100 staff by the end of 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2019, Wizz Air dismissed concerns about its part in environmental damage raised by the "flight shame" movement, basing its response on the airline's per-passenger emission level. The company said it would reduce per capita emissions by an additional 30 percent by 2030. Wizz Air also condemned inefficient airlines such as Lufthansa that offered business class and used outdated technologies, which according to Wizz Air cause far more environmental damage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Development since 2020
By early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Wizz Air to ground its fleet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> One-fifth of the staff were dismissed when it became clear that air travel across the continent was shutting down.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2020, Wizz Air became Europe's largest low-cost airline with 78,000 passengers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By June, they had reached 40 percent of their previous year's normal weekly revenue, while the proportion of no-shows fell from 80 percent in April to 30 percent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 2020, the airline announced that it would form a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2020, Wizz took delivery of an A330-200F cargo aircraft (HA-LHU, formerly Qatar Cargo), operating it on behalf of the Hungarian Government as 'Hungary Air Cargo'.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In August 2021, company management announced that they plan to hire 4,600 new pilots by 2030, with the first part of their plan to train and hire nearly 500 pilots by the end of 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September 2021, rival low-cost carrier EasyJet claimed it had rejected a takeover offer from Wizz Air.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 14 November 2021, on the first day of the Dubai Airshow, Wizz Air was one of four airlines that ordered additional A321neo jets. Wizz Air is due to receive a total of 75 A321neo and 27 A321XLRs, adding up to 102 new aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, four Wizz Air aircraft were stranded in Ukraine, three in Kyiv, and one in Lviv (the latter eventually being recovered and returned to service).<ref name="auto2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2022, amid the invasion, Wizz Air provided 100,000 free airline tickets to refugees for short-distance flights from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2022, Wizz Air said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment to collaborate on potential investment and operating models to boost the country's tourism industry and increase its connectivity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 8 June 2022, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to work on the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2024 the company was named as the worst for flight delays in the United Kingdom for the third year in succession. On average flights departed over half an hour late.<ref name="Unlimited">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2024, Wizz Air had to ground hundred of planes after reported faults with Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan engines. The chief executive said he expected the issue to affect the fleet for two years while the aircraft are inspected.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In August 2024, the company announced an "all you can fly" subscription, costing €499 per year.<ref name="Unlimited" /> The annual subscription sold out within 24 hours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Subscribers are charged an additional £8.90 per flight and have to pay extra for carry-on or checked luggage — only a small personal item is free.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In September 2024, Wizz Air reported progress on the aircraft engine problems. The budget carrier had 41 aircraft grounded as of Sept. 30, six months earlier than it originally forecast.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The company now expects to have 40-45 planes idled at a time over the next 18 months, down from the previous expectation of 50.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In July 2025, the company announced the suspension of its operations from Abu Dhabi, claiming it was caused by geopolitical turmoil, supply chain constraints, and regulatory barriers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All flights to the region were to be stopped on 1 September 2025.<ref name=shuts>Template:Cite web</ref>
Corporate affairs
Business trends
The key trends for the Wizz Air Group are (as at 31 March each year):<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| FY | Revenue (€m) |
Net profit (€m) |
Number of employees |
Number of passengers (m) |
Passenger load factor (%) |
Number of served airports |
Number of served countries |
Fleet size | CO2/RPKTemplate:Efn (g) |
References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,011 | 87.7 | 1,650 | 13.9 | 85.7 | 96 | 35 | 46 | <ref name="AR15">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2015 | 1,227 | 183 | 2,040 | 16.5 | 86.7 | 110 | 38 | 55 | <ref name="AR15" /> | |
| 2016 | 1,429 | 192 | 2,396 | 20.0 | 88.2 | 124 | 39 | 67 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2017 | 1,571 | 225 | 3,033 | 23.8 | 90.1 | 141 | 42 | 79 | 61.5 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2018 | 1,948 | 275 | 3,686 | 29.6 | 91.3 | 135 | 44 | 93 | 59.9 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2019 | 2,327 | 123 | 4,261 | 34.6 | 93.6 | 146 | 44 | 112 | 58.5 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2020 | 2,761 | 281 | 4,440 | 40.0 | 93.5 | 155 | 45 | 121 | 57.2 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2021 | 739 | Template:Color | 3,960 | 10.2 | 64.0 | 167 | 48 | 137 | 77.3 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2022 | 1,663 | Template:Color | 5,772 | 27.1 | 78.1 | 194 | 51 | 153 | 60.7 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2023 | 3,896 | Template:Color | 7,389 | 51.0 | 87.8 | 194 | 54 | 179 | 53.8 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2024 | 5,073 | 365 | 8,044 | 62.0 | 90.1 | 193 | 53 | 208 | 52.0 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2025 | 5,267 | 213 | 8,816 | 63.4 | 91.2 | 200 | 55 | 231 | 52.2 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Subsidiaries
- Current subsidiaries
- Wizz Air UK was founded on 18 October 2017 as Wizz Air's UK unit. Following CAA approval, the subsidiary commenced operations with 10 registered aircraft initially. The unit is currently operating flights from and to Luton on behalf of its Hungarian parent and has been set up to ensure Wizz Air retains full market access to the United Kingdom following Brexit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Wizz Air Malta was founded in 2022 and operated its first flight on 27 September 2022 from Rome Fiumicino to Malta International Airport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Former subsidiaries
- Wizz Air Bulgaria<ref name="wizzbulgaria"/> was Wizz Air's Bulgarian unit set-up in 2005 and based at Sofia Airport with a fleet of 3 aircraft. It ceased operations on 31 March 2011, all flights merged back into Wizz Air Hungary Ltd.<ref name="wizzbulgaria">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wizz Air Ukraine, founded in 2008, was the Ukrainian unit of Wizz Air, which had its own air operator's certificate and operated from Kyiv Zhuliany International Airport and Lviv International Airport with a fleet of 4 aircraft. As a result of the economic crisis caused by the Russo-Ukrainian War, Wizz Air Ukraine was terminated on 19 April 2015. Some routes to and from Kyiv were taken over by Wizz Air Hungary Ltd, while all others ceased. The airline eventually began expanding once again in Ukraine.<ref name="Wizz Air Ukraine expansion">Template:Cite web</ref> As of October 2016, it operated flights to 13 cities in 7 countries from Kyiv.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wizz Air Abu Dhabi was founded on 12 December 2019 as Wizz Air's UAE subsidiary. The airline is a joint venture with state-owned Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, which owns 51 per cent.<ref name="launch">Template:Cite news</ref> Flights are operated from Abu Dhabi International Airport to destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The company announced the suspension of its operations in Abu Dhabi from 1 September 2025.<ref name="shuts" />
Destinations
These notable actions regarding destinations were executed by the airline:
| Year | Destination | Notability | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Maiden flight from the first base in Katowice Airport to London Luton Airport | <ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Budapest | Establishment of second base | <ref name=":2" /> | |
| 2008 | Ukraine | Start of domestic operations in a country outside of the European Union | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2011 | Belgrade | New base outside of the European Union | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2012 | Kutaisi | Airline's first route to the South Caucasus | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Skopje | New base outside of the European Union | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Tel Aviv | Airline's first route to the Middle East | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| 2013 | Dubai | Airline's first route to the Arabian Peninsula | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2014 | Hurghada | Airline's first route to North Africa | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2015 | Tuzla | New base outside of the European Union | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2016 | Chișinău | New base outside of the European Union | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Kutaisi | Airline's first base in the South Caucasus | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2017 | Astana | Airline's first route to Central Asia | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| London Luton | New base outside of Central and Eastern Europe | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| 2018 | Vienna | New base outside of Central and Eastern Europe | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2020 | Larnaca | New base outside of Central and Eastern Europe | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Nowrap | New base outside of Central and Eastern Europe | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Milan Malpensa | New base in a country outside of Central and Eastern Europe | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Tirana | New base outside of the European Union | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2021 | Abu Dhabi | Airline's first base on the Arabian Peninsula | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Dortmund | Closure of a base outside of Central and Eastern Europe after having been operated for a year | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Norway | Termination of all its domestic routes in a country outside of the European Union, after being operated for less than a year | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| 2022 | Doncaster | Closure of a base outside of Central and Eastern Europe after having been operated for less than two years | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Malé | Airline's first route to South Asia | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Sarajevo | Closure of a base outside of the European Union after having been operated for a year | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2023 | Cardiff | Closure of a base outside of Central and Eastern Europe after having been operated for less than a year | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2025 | Abu Dhabi | Closure of a base outside of Europe after having been operated for four years | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Yerevan | New base outside of the European Union (Caucasus) | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
The longest routes by linear distance are:
| Route | Linear distance | Max. durationTemplate:Efn (hours) |
Operation | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katowice – Abu Dhabi | 2,269 nm | 6:00 | current | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Rome Fiumicino – Abu Dhabi | 2,346 nm | 7:05<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | until 14 January 2025 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| London-Gatwick – Medinah | 2,428 nm | 6:40 | by A321XLR | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| London-Gatwick – Jeddah | 2,546 nm | 7:00 | by A321XLR | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Fleet
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Current fleet
Template:As of, Wizz Air and its subsidiaries Wizz Air Malta and Wizz Air UK operate the following all-Airbus A320 family fleet:<ref name="airbus.com">Airbus Orders and Deliveries (XLS), monthly updated, accessed via Template:Cite web</ref>
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 30 | — | 180 | |
| 186 | ||||
| Airbus A320neo | 6 | — | 180<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| Template:Nowrap | 39 | — | 230 | |
| Airbus A321neo | 164 | 281<ref name="airbus.com" /> | 239<ref name="321xlr">Template:Cite web</ref> | Largest operator.<ref>Airbus Orders and Deliveries (XLS), monthly updated, accessed via Template:Cite web</ref> Deliveries until 2029.<ref name="Deliveries until 2027">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Airbus A321XLR | 3 | 239<ref name="321xlr"/> | Deliveries until 2029.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Order reduced from 47 down to between 10 and 15.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Total | 242 | 281 | ||
Historic fleet
_taking_off_from_HGH_02.jpg){kind=link}
In December 2024, Wizz Air ended operations of their sole Airbus A330-200F which handled freight services on behalf of the Hungarian government since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.<ref>ch-aviation.com - Hungary's Wizz Air ends government freighter operations 18 December 2024</ref>
Notes
See also
References
External links
Template:Commons category-inline
Template:Navbox Airlines of Hungary Template:European Low Fares Airline Association Template:FTSE 250 Index constituents Template:Authority control Template:Portal bar
- Pages with broken file links
- Airlines of Hungary
- Hungarian brands
- Low-cost carriers
- Airlines established in 2003
- European Low Fares Airline Association
- 2015 initial public offerings
- Companies based in Budapest
- Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange
- Companies in the FTSE 250 Index
- Hungarian companies established in 2003