European budget airline brand Wizz Air has set up a new venture in the United Arab Emirates.
It plans to start operating flights in the Arabian Gulf region later this year.
The new airline will be called Wizz Air Abu Dhabi – catchy eh? – and will be based in the UAE capital of the same name.
London-listed Wizz Air Holdings said that it has concluded the definitive agreement with its partner Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company to jointly establish the new airline.
The low-cost airline is set to launch its operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport in Fall 2020.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
The agreement promises to bring further low fares to the region. It’s paired with a high-quality on-board experience to a range of destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s recruitment activities are set to commence in the coming months. The agreement will create new job opportunities, boost the economy and attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi.
The announcement is also in line with Abu Dhabi’s AED 50bn (£10.65m) accelerator programme Ghadan 21, which is driving the emirate’s development through investing in business, innovation and people.
The airline development team has already initiated the process with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority to obtain aviation licences.
“Today marks an important milestone on the way to establishing our new airline in Abu Dhabi”, József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air Holdings, said.
“The joint venture agreement with Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company to form Wizz Air Abu Dhabi underpins our long-term dedication to bringing an economically and operationally highly efficient as well as environmentally most sustainable airline business model to boost Abu Dhabi’s aviation development.
“Wizz Air’s mission feeds into Abu Dhabi’s diversified economic strategy as we aim to stimulate traffic by creating demand to the benefit of growing Abu Dhabi’s touristic and economic diversity.
“We look forward to welcoming passengers on board our young, green and ultra-efficient fleet.”
Regional priority
Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, CEO of ADDH, said: “Tourism is a high priority in Abu Dhabi’s growth strategy.
“Significant investment is going not only into our airports but also the tourist infrastructure, including hotels, resorts and cultural attractions.
“Last year the emirate achieved a record high of 11.35 million visitors and a key driver for this is the connectivity that enables people to visit Abu Dhabi easily and affordably.
“Our partnerships with Wizz Air and others will help elevate the UAE’s capital as a highly competitive regional and international destination for leisure and business travellers alike.”
The airline will focus on establishing routes to markets in which Wizz Air has existing, high growth operations, namely Central and Eastern and Western Europe.
Wizz Air’s shares were 4.25% lower at £32.70 in London on Monday.