WIZZ AIR MARKS 10 YEARS ON THE
LSE
AND LAUNCHES NEW XLR ROUTE FROM LONDON
TO MEDINA
Ticker:
WIZZ
LONDON, 25th
February 2025:
Wizz Air, one of the most sustainable European airlines, today
celebrates the 10th anniversary of its listing on the London Stock
Exchange (LSE), and announces that it will be the first airline to
offer a direct flight between London Gatwick and Medina in Saudi
Arabia.
The new route, which launches on 1st
August 2025, is Wizz Air's second from the UK using the
longer-range Airbus XLR aircraft, with its first flight scheduled
from London Gatwick to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on 31st
March.
By launching this route, the airline will
facilitate more than 174,000 seats per year to Medina, making the
holy city, which is famous for its religious tourism, more
accessible than ever.
The extended reach and efficiency of the
brand-new Airbus XLR aircraft supports Wizz Air's continued growth
across the Middle East where the airline already has an extensive
network. Wizz Air currently serves more than 100 destinations
across the region, including a base in Abu
Dhabi.
A decade on the
London Stock Exchange
Over the past 10 years, Wizz Air has
significantly expanded its operations through the creation of four
airlines, reinforced financial resilience, and positioned itself as
an industry leader in delivering the lowest fares and lowest
emissions intensity *.
Since its initial public offering (IPO) in 2015,
Wizz Air has significantly strengthened its liquidity position,
expanded its fleet from 54 to over 200 aircraft, and increased
passenger numbers from 19 million to over 60 million annually. The
airline group's listing has played a critical role in its
evolution, providing access to one of the world's largest and most
sophisticated capital markets.
As geopolitical and supply chain uncertainties
ease, Wizz Air is well positioned for strong growth,
underpinned by a significant order book, as well as fleet
expansion and revenue diversification plans, and is targeting
passenger growth of 15-20% annually.
With a disciplined cost structure, well
capitalised balance sheet and strong liquidity, Wizz Air remains
well positioned to navigate market fluctuations and is committed to
delivering long term shareholder value.
Strategic
Investments in Sustainability and Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(SAF)
Wizz Air is the airline with the lowest
emissions intensity per passenger per kilometre globally. This is
the result of its strategic investments in Sustainable Aviation
Fuel (SAF), and fleet renewal activities to replace older
generation aircraft with Airbus A321 NEO aircraft, which bring both
economic and sustainability benefits. The airline has an aspiration
to power 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030.
Over 60% of the Company's fleet is now Airbus
A320neo family aircraft with an average age of 4.6 years. Wizz
Air's target of 25% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 is supported
by technological advancements in its aircraft and
engines.
József Váradi,
CEO of Wizz Air, commented: "Celebrating 10 years on the London
Stock Exchange is a testament to Wizz Air's resilience, ambition
and strategic vision. As we enter a new era of stability and
profitability, we are focused on sustainable growth, expanding our
network, and enhancing our financial strength. Today's launch of
the new route from London Gatwick to Medina demonstrates this, and
is an important milestone for the airline, as we continue to widen
our network from the UK beyond Europe. We are proud to be the
airline that connects iconic cities around the world, and we look
forward to providing even more opportunities for travel in the
future.
"The London
Stock Exchange has been instrumental in supporting our access to
capital, enabling us to invest in next-generation fleet technology,
SAF innovation and long-term market expansion. The airline group
remains committed to delivering shareholder returns, driving
operational excellence and redefining the future of affordable,
sustainable travel."
Bill Franke,
Chairman of Wizz Air, commented: "With a decade of strong performance
on the London Stock Exchange, Wizz Air is poised for its next phase
of growth, underpinned by strong financial discipline, an unmatched
order book, sustainability investments, and strategic market
expansion. The Board of Directors is confident that Wizz Air's
agility and disciplined execution will continue to deliver value
for investors, employees, customers and society."
* According to Cirium -
2024 On-Time Performance Review, Wizz Air achieved a
70.54% on-time arrival record. Cirium's Annual report is the gold
standard for global airline and airport performance analytics. An
on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 14:59
minutes of the scheduled gate arrival time. Airports measure
punctuality as departing flights within 14:59 minutes of their
scheduled departure time.
- Ends -
About Wizz Air
Wizz Air operates a fleet of 229 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 62.8 million passengers in 2024. Wizz Air is listed on
the London Stock Exchange under the ticker WIZZ. The company was
recently named one of the world's top five 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 recognised as the "Most
Sustainable Low-Cost Airline" within the in 2021-2023 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
investor.relations@wizzair.com
Media: Andras
Rado, Wizz
Air
communications@wizzair.com
James McFarlane/Eleni Menikou/Charles Hirst, MHP
Group wizz@mhpgroup.com
