Strategic realignment and focus on core markets
WIZZ AIR HOLDINGS PLC - STRATEGIC realignment AND focus on core markets
SUSPENSION OF WIZZ AIR ABU DHABI OPERATIONS
14 July 2025 - Wizz Air Holdings PLC ("Wizz Air") today announces a strategic realignment that reinforces the Company's core strength and focus in Central and Eastern Europe and select Western European markets. This decision follows a comprehensive reassessment of market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
As a result of the suspension of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operations as part of this strategic realignment, Wizz Air will suspend all locally based flight operations effective 1 September 2025 and intends to exit from the joint venture going forward and will focus on its core markets.
Strategic Rationale
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has faced increasing operational challenges over the past year, including:
• Engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which have impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency;
• Geopolitical volatility, which has led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as wreaking consumer demand;
• Regulatory barriers, which have limited the Company's ability to access and scale in key markets.
These factors have significantly impacted the viability of Wizz Air's ultra-low-cost model in the region and its ability to deliver profitability in line with its core European operations. Wizz Air will intensify its focus on its core Central and Eastern European markets, as well as select Western European countries such as Austria, Italy and the UK. This strategic realignment to core markets will enable the Company to redeploy resources to regions with greater long-term potential for sustainable growth and profitability.
Wizz Air remains committed to delivering affordable, efficient, and sustainable air travel, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and focus on shareholder value creation.
József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air, said: "We have had a tremendous journey in the Middle East and are proud of what we have built. I thank our highly dedicated employees for their relentless efforts and commitment for developing the WIZZ brand in new and dynamic markets. However, the operating environment has changed significantly. Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances. We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air's customer proposition and build shareholder value."
Passengers with existing bookings beyond 31 August 2025 will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The above suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). By the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Owain Jones.
-ENDS-
About Wizz Air
Wizz Air operates a fleet of 237 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. A team of dedicated aviation professionals delivers superior service and very low fares, making Wizz Air the preferred choice of 63.4 million passengers in FY2025. Wizz Air is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker WIZZ. The company was named one of the world's top ten safest airlines by airlineratings.com, the world's only safety and product rating agency, and named Airline of the Year by Air Transport Awards in 2019 and in 2023. Wizz Air has also been recognized as the "Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline" between 2021-2024 and "Best Airline for Carbon Reduction" by World Finance Sustainability Awards in 2024. Wizz Air also received "EMEA's Environmental Sustainability Airline Group of the Year" by the CAPA-Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2024.
For more information:
Investors:
Mark Simpson, Wizz Air
Beata Szanto, Wizz Air investor.relations@wizzair.com
Media:
Andras Rado, Wizz Air communications@wizzair.com
James McFarlane / Eleni Menikou / Charles Hirst, MHP Group wizz@mhpgroup.com
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