Wizz Air Abu Dhabi carries 3 million passengers in 2023

Image courtesy: David Cannon/ Getty Images

ADQ-backed Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said it more than doubled the number of operated flights and passengers carried in 2023, with a completion rate of 99.6 per cent.

The budget carrier operated more than 15,000 flights, carrying three million passengers, with more than 1.5 million point-to-point passengers to Abu Dhabi.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi added four new A321 aircraft to its fleet in 2023, taking its fleet size to 12 aircraft, and increased its seat capacity by 135 per cent to 3.7 million seats.

The airline also increased its workforce by 100 per cent during the year and invested in the latest technologically advanced aircraft to enhance sustainable air travel.

“We operated more than 15,000 flights, unlocked 3.7 million affordable travel opportunities and carried three million point-to-point passengers. Our phenomenal results this year reflect our commitment to delivering travel options that are more convenient and affordable for everyone and accelerating the growth of Abu Dhabi as one of the best destinations in the world for tourism,” said Johan Eidhagen, managing director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.

The airline is developing the UAE network and currently flies to 40 destinations in 27 different countries from Abu Dhabi.

It continues to support the innovation, resilience and integration of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, sharing the emirate with the world.

The airline supports the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism’s target to reach 24 million visitors this year and promote the city as a preferred tourism destination. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is also supporting the development of the UAE’s tourism sector, in line with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.

Recently, the airline signed an agreement with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to promote sustainability and collaborate on a wide range of areas, raising awareness about more environmentally friendly practices amongst passengers.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi contributes to UAE’s buoying aviation sector

Meanwhile, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is launching its latest route to Turkistan in January 2024.

The budget carrier will operate flights from Abu Dhabi to Turkistan three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Earlier in December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projected that airlines in the Middle East will deliver a strong financial performance in both 2023 and 2024, with profits seen advancing by 4.3 per cent to $2.6bn in 2023 and $3.1bn next year on a 4.8 per cent margin.

Middle East carriers, including Emirates Airlines, Air Arabia and Qatar Airways, have been swift to rebuild their international networks and restore their super-connector hubs.

Globally, IATA said that industry profits will reach $25.7bn (2.7 per cent net profit margin) in 2024, which is more than double what the global aviation body expected in June and a slight improvement over this year’s $23.3bn.