Today's Edition
RASHA TUBEILEH (ABU DHABI)
József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air Group, expects that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will achieve 30% growth in the number of passengers and operational capacity in 2024, translating to the carrier transporting around four million passengers. The airline recorded an exceptional performance last year, achieving a record growth of over 135% in the number of passengers carried, equivalent to 3 million passengers.
In an interview with Aletihad, Váradi highlighted the airline’s 2030 goals, which include transporting 15 million passengers and raising its fleet from 12 to 50 aircraft. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s low-cost national airline, was established as a joint venture between ADQ and Wizz Air Holding Group Ltd.
“Abu Dhabi recorded a major achievement in this exceptional growth last year, which makes us ambitious to achieve positive results in 2024,” he said, stressing the importance of Abu Dhabi as a main destination for the group and at the same time the importance of Wizz Air as a successful carrier for Abu Dhabi, as the Emirate has great ambitions regarding the growth of the aviation sector in line with the economic growth and development witnessed by the country, which reflects positively on the growth of the aviation sector.
“As the national carrier of Abu Dhabi, we contribute to achieving growth in the aviation and tourism sector by attracting passengers to Abu Dhabi and offering low-cost and competitive prices, in addition to cooperation and partnership with the relevant government agencies.
“We have the latest fleet of aircraft, services, excellent flight crews, and a global network of destinations. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, which is the second largest airline in Abu Dhabi, was able to add eight new destinations last year, and today, it flies to more than 40 destinations in 27 countries. Our fleet currently includes 12 aircraft with a recorded average seat occupancy of 85% last year,’’ the CEO added.
Regarding the global performance of the Wizz Air Group, Váradi told Aleithad that Group witnessed 30% growth in operational capacity, “as we transported 61 million passengers, which makes the group one of the largest airlines in Europe”.
He added: “We have a network of more than 200 destinations and 1,000 routes. On the other hand, we were affected by several global challenges related to the aviation sector and geopolitical challenges, but despite that, we recorded a positive financial performance by returning to profitability and recording growth in our business.’’
The CEO said that the Group’s growth in Abu Dhabi has been made possible in part by increasing the airline’s destinations.
“We continue to enhance flights to our current destinations by increasing the number of flights. On the other hand, we are looking forward to new destinations in parallel with increasing the fleet and introducing new aircraft that allow the possibility of travelling longer distances,” Váradi said.
‘’With our current fleet and current operational capacity, we can keep up with the growth in the number of passengers and the growth of the aviation sector that Abu Dhabi is witnessing,’’ he added.
Referring to the November 2023 opening of “Terminal A” at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Váradi deemed the airport a “wonderful icon” with global services and a great capacity to support airlines’ growth and expansion.
The CEO noted that the Group cooperates with government agencies to help promote Abu Dhabi as a “distinguished tourist destination”, especially within markets in the Group’s global network, to expand their role in boosting the Emirate’s tourism sector.
“We are currently focusing on contributing to enhancing tourism in Abu Dhabi by attracting transit passengers to stay in Abu Dhabi upon their arrival at the airport for several days, and to explore what the city contains in terms of cultural, heritage and tourist treasures before heading off to their final destination,” Váradi said.
