Wizz Air Closes Abu Dhabi Subsidiary Due to Engine Issues

Wizz Air shut its Abu Dhabi subsidiary due to engine dependability problems and geopolitical instability. Focus shifts to Central/Eastern Europe. Flights relaunching from Larnaca and Sofia under Wizz Air Hungary.

The decision to shut the Abu Dhabi subsidiary followed ongoing engine dependability problems impacting Wizz Air’s A320neo-family fleet– particularly in what chief executive officer József Váradi described as “hot and extreme atmospheres.” Those conditions, he stated, triggered a change toward “benign network possibilities” across Europe.

Reasons for Abu Dhabi Closure

The Hungarian ULCC announced in July that it would certainly exit the venture, pointing out engine concerns, supply chain restraints, geopolitical instability and minimal market access that made it “increasingly tough to maintain our initial aspirations.”

Focus on Core Markets

He additionally restated that Wizz Air’s method is now focused on settling toughness in core markets, mostly Central and Eastern Europe. The airline in September validated plans to downsize operations in Vienna and in July claimed it meant to lower its A321XLR order from 47 to no more than 15 airplane.

Fleet Grounding and Recovery

As reported by Aeronautics Week on Oct. 7, Wizz Air does not anticipate all its Airplane A320neo-family aircraft to return to service up until completion of 2027, according to CFO Ian Malin. The service provider has actually 38 airplane grounded.

Prior to its closure, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi ran 12 aircraft– 8 A321ceos and 4 A321neos– accountancy for concerning 9% of seat capacity at Abu Dhabi International Flight Terminal, behind Etihad Airways and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. The airline company brought 3.5 million travelers in 2024, up 20% year-on-year.

Relaunch of Abu Dhabi Flights

Routines on the airline’s web site reveal that Wizz Air Hungary will certainly introduce Abu Dhabi flights from Larnaca, Cyprus, on Nov. 15 and from Sofia, Bulgaria, on Nov. 17. The Larnaca course will certainly run 4 times each week utilizing Plane A321ceos, while the Sofia solution will certainly be 3X-weekly with A321neos.

The relaunch of trips from Larnaca and Sofia stands for a scaled-back re-entry into Abu Dhabi, with procedures currently taken care of under Wizz Air Hungary’s air driver certificate. The airline company formerly operated both courses under its Abu Dhabi unit yet put on hold Sofia solutions in June and Larnaca at the end of August.