Wizz Air expands payment options and adjusts plans for Saudi expansion

Wizz Air, a prominent Hungarian low-cost airline, has introduced new payment options in its mobile apps, allowing passengers to use Google Pay and Apple Pay for their transactions. These mobile wallet features, now available on both Android and iOS platforms, aim to streamline the booking process, especially for last-minute travellers and those purchasing additional services shortly before departure. The airline noted that over 30% of passengers typically add extra services after booking, with nearly half opting to do so through the mobile app. This enhancement is expected to offer passengers faster and more secure ways to pay for both tickets and services, such as seat selection and baggage.

In addition to this payment upgrade, Wizz Air now accepts Revolut bank cards onboard its flights (as we detailed HERE), further expanding the range of payment options available to customers, AIRportal.hu reports. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance convenience and meet the evolving expectations of travellers.

Change in Wizz Air’s Saudi expansion plans

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Despite these positive developments, the airline recently announced a significant shift in its expansion plans in Saudi Arabia, according to another article by AIRportal.hu. Wizz Air has decided to abandon its initial proposal to establish a 50-aircraft joint venture in the Kingdom.

This project, which was first outlined in a 2022 agreement with the Saudi government, would have involved the creation of a local subsidiary to bolster operations in the region. However, instead of proceeding with this venture, the airline will focus on growing its presence in Saudi Arabia as a destination market, launching additional routes from European hubs.

One key part of this strategy involves the use of the long-range Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which will allow Wizz Air to serve more distant destinations. The first of these planes is expected to begin operating between London-Gatwick and Jeddah in March 2025. However, the airline’s subsidiary, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, has delayed the launch of this aircraft type until 2026, citing the need to wait for the new Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engines, which are better suited to the hot and dusty climate of the region.

Wizz Air’s CEO, József Váradi, recently commented on these developments during an interview with Reuters. He explained that the decision to pause the Saudi joint venture was a strategic one, allowing the airline to focus on the growing demand for travel to Saudi Arabia. He also addressed the company’s financial challenges, noting that Wizz Air’s stock price has dropped by 42% over the past year. Váradi believes this decline is an overreaction to external factors such as geopolitical issues and the engine supply chain problems affecting many airlines worldwide.

New bonus package for CEO Váradi

In a related development, as we reported before, Wizz Air is set to introduce a new bonus package for its CEO. According to reports from HVG, Váradi is expected to receive a one-time stock award worth around GBP 700,000 on 1 October, which is three times his annual salary.

This package comes as part of a broader long-term incentive plan designed to motivate leadership through the company’s recovery from recent global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical disruptions. Last year, shareholders approved a two-year extension of Váradi’s long-term bonus plan, which gives him the potential to earn up to GBP 100 million if the airline’s stock price increases fivefold to GBP 120 by the extended deadline. The upcoming stock bonus would count towards this total.

Read also:

• Controversies at Wizz Air: Flight cancellations followed by bonus announcement for CEO
• Will Wizz Air launch American flights? Here is what CEO Váradi said about plans

Featured image: depositphotos.com