Wizz Air, one of Europe's leading low-cost airlines, is currently facing significant challenges caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. Despite these difficulties, airline boss Jozsef Varadi is sticking to his ambitious growth goals and plans to expand the airline's fleet to over 500 aircraft over the next six to eight years.
The war in Ukraine forced Wizz Air to divert 13 percent of its capacity from Russia and Ukraine, resulting in higher operating costs and lower revenues. In addition, problems with the GTF engines are affecting operations, with one in five Wizz Air aircraft currently down for maintenance.
Varadi emphasized that despite these challenges, Wizz Air is strictly committed to organic growth and rejects takeover rumors. The airline plans to expand by establishing additional branches, possibly also in Saudi Arabia. Wizz Air currently operates flights in Hungary, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates and has a clear course to expand its fleet by 2032.
Wizz Air is determined to become one of Europe's largest airlines through organic growth and fleet expansion, thereby strengthening its position in the highly competitive low-cost airline sector.