On the Up: What’s next for Wizz Air?
Wizz Air is a company on the up in every sense of the phrase. Connecting 228 destinations across 56 countries, the Hungary-based budget carrier has undergone rapid expansion across Western Europe and since it was founded in 2003 has made a name for itself as one of the leading competitors in the world of no-frills air travel.
In June 2022, Wizz Air was named the most sustainable low-cost airline at the World Finance Sustainability Awards due to its impressive commitment to offsetting its carbon footprint through fuel-saving initiatives and an ambitious fleet renewal program.
This combination of assured sustainability and affordability alongside fresh new management has seen the airline rise from the ashes of the pandemic and continue to soar.
Creative outsourcing management
Since his recent appointment as Wizz Air’s chief executive officer, Jozsef Varadi has been keen to outsource much of its ground operations and administration.
One such partnership is with Menzies Aviation who have played a pivotal role when it comes to developing Wizz Air’s environmental commitments. The global provider of passenger, ramp, and cargo handling services has been assisting the airline with its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and CO2 Emissions.
One particularly impressive endeavor is the introduction of fully electric turnarounds which are being currently trialled at Budapest airport. Electric turns use electronically powered systems for steering and turning on the ground. These electrically actuated systems can reduce on-the-ground carbon emissions by around 80% per aircraft when compared to using diesel-powered or traditional hydraulic systems.
Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air said:
“We are the first airline at Budapest Airport to perform fully electric turns thanks to our partnership with Menzies Aviation. It demonstrates another step in our target to further reduce our CO2 intensity by 25% by 2030”
A successful relationship with Budapest Airport
2022 was an eventful, yet successful year for Budapest Airport. Despite unforeseen geopolitical issues, an economic slowdown, and the effects of the energy crises, over 75% of its pre-COVID passenger traffic was recovered with over 12.2 million passengers jetting off from the airport.
Despite the upheaval, the airport has remained ambitious and has, like Wizz Air, been a front-runner in the promotion of an electric-first approach, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of its operations.
Alongside Wizz Air’s partnership with Menzies, Budapest airport’s recent expansion program and provision of charging infrastructure have made it an ideal base for the airline to trial its ambitious suitability plans such as the aforementioned electric turns.
A sustained approach to remaining an affordable airline
As it currently stands, Wizz Air is one of the front runners in offering the lowest prices for flights. As with most no-frills airlines, the company keeps costs down by allowing passengers to opt in for services such as seat reservations and additional baggage and offers cost-saving services such as free online check-ins and the ability to self-print boarding passes at home.
Despite the cost-cutting, figures show a significant 24% growth achieved in April to September 2023 whilst in the financial year ending, 2022, the airline generated over 1.6 billion euros in revenue from its operations.
What’s next for Wizz Air?
Given the airline’s reputation for sustainability and commitment to cutting carbon emissions, it comes as no surprise that Budapest Airport is keen to build on their partnership by increasing the number of flights with Wizz Air and upping the destination availability with the airline.
The operator already offers over 60 flights across Europe from Budapest including London, Athens and Berlin, and the airline’s route map is constantly developing. New flights to destinations including Sharm El Sheikh, Antalya and Copenhagen have been recently added to the airline’s route network.
Varadi has also announced he intends to increase the number of aircraft stationed at Budapest to 15. Whilst outside of Hungary, the ambitious CEO is drawing up plans to grow the current fleet of 179 aircraft to 500 before the end of the decade.
Amidst the myriad tales of economic downturn, disruptions to global supply chains and inflation concerns, it seems Wiz Air is a much-needed success story in a somewhat unpredictable economy.
Through a combination of considered outsourcing, ambitious yet achievable expansion and a commitment to sustainability and affordability, it seems Wiz Air is an airline that will continue to rise!