Wizz Air aircraft. Credit score: Tibor Szabo, Pexels
Wizz Air will formally cease working out of Abu Dhabi from September 1, 2025, blaming excessive desert circumstances, engine points, and rising geopolitical instability within the Center East.
The Hungarian low-cost airline confirmed the shutdown of its Wizz Air Abu Dhabi three way partnership after “a complete reassessment of market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments within the Center East,” in response to an organization assertion.
Harsh desert circumstances damaging Wizz Air plane
Wizz Air cited extreme engine degradation brought on by sand and excessive temperatures within the area. Its Airbus A320 jets, powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, have suffered from accelerated put on and tear resulting from sand particles and excessive warmth, which the corporate stated could cause engines to deteriorate as much as 3 times quicker than in Europe.
“The recent and harsh local weather” elevated operating prices and compelled the airline to floor a number of plane, severely affecting its capacity to ship low-cost flights, in response to The Telegraph.
Battle and closures disrupt airspace
Wizz Air additionally pointed to the “rising geopolitical instability” within the area, particularly amid the continued battle between Iran and Israel, which has led to repeated airspace closures and plummeting shopper demand.
Wizz Air had already suspended some operations resulting from security and reliability points following Iranian strikes on a US base in Qatar, which triggered momentary airspace shutdowns by Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
Wizz Air CEO feedback
In an announcement, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi acknowledged the issue of the transfer, however insisted it was vital:
“Whereas this was a tough choice, it’s the proper one given the circumstances. We proceed to deal with our core markets and on initiatives that improve Wizz Air’s buyer proposition and construct shareholder worth.
The working atmosphere has modified considerably. Provide chain constraints, geopolitical instability and restricted market entry have made it more and more tough to maintain our unique ambitions.”
Launched in November 2020, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi was a three way partnership between Wizz Air Holdings and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ, with the purpose of serving the Center East, Africa, and Indian subcontinent. ADQ owned 51 per cent of the enterprise.
Regardless of plans to increase to 100 plane over 15 years, the operation peaked at 12 planes and 23 routes, with providers principally to Japanese Europe.
Wizz Air will now refocus on Europe, with plans to increase operations in Central and Japanese Europe, and selective Western markets just like the UK, Italy, and Austria.
Flights from European hubs to the Center East, together with routes from London to Saudi Arabia and Jordan, will proceed unaffected.
With round 700 staff affected by the Wizz Air Abu Dhabi exit, questions stay about future staffing and potential redeployments.
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