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Dave

Wizz Air and OMV sign SAF agreement

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Wizz Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OMV, the international integrated oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna, for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) between 2023 and 2030.

The MoU gives Wizz Air the opportunity to purchase up to 185,000 metric tons of SAF from OMV. This co-operation ensures that Wizz Air can progress in accordance with its plan for the reduction of CO2 intensity per passenger kilometre.

In a statement, the airline claims this announcement is ‘a key part of the airline’s environmental strategy to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 25% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050’.

The statement continues, ‘with the lowest CO2 intensity per passenger kilometre in Europe, one of the youngest fleets in the world, and numerous fuel efficiency initiatives, Wizz Air is already leading the aviation industry to a more sustainable future’.

OMV is implementing numerous measures to help deliver its ambitious strategic sustainability goals, and says that SAF is a key technology for the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. The goal involves increasing SAF production to as much as 700,000 tons in 2030, in line with OMV’s ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 at the latest (for Scopes 1, 2 and 3). To this end, medium-term and long-term emission reduction targets have been defined as part of the OMV Strategy 2030.

Owain Jones: “our customers are making the most responsible choice of air travel available”

Owain Jones, Development Officer at Wizz Air, said,

We have achieved our market-leading sustainability position by continued investment in innovative technology and operating the most up-to-date aircraft in the most efficient way.  Wizz Air is committed to driving our emissions intensity down by a further 25% by the end of the decade, with the use of SAF playing a significant role in that commitment.  Supporting the production and research of SAF technologies is one of our priorities and we are pleased to co-operate with OMV to further reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. The new MoU is testament to our commitment to ensuring that by choosing to fly with Wizz Air, our customers are making the most responsible choice of air travel available.

Nina Marczell: “a more sustainable aviation future”

Nina Marczell, OMV Vice President Aviation, Fuel Distribution & Public Sector, said:

I am very pleased that the co-operation between OMV and Wizz Air will help us achieve our respective strategic sustainability goals.

With Wizz Air we were able to gain a strong international partner.

SAF is the most significant path to decarbonizing aviation in the coming decades.

Our strategic relationship is enabling the way to a more sustainable aviation future we both want to be part of.


Dave

Wizz Air to form new airline, based in Malta

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Wizz Air, ‘Europe’s fastest growing ultra-low-cost airline’ has announced it intends to file an application for its Maltese subsidiary to be granted an Air Operator’s Certificate.

Subject to confirmation of its AOC Wizz Air Malta may begin operations in October 2022 with Malta-registered aircraft.

Wizz Air Chief Executive Officer, József Váradi said:

József VáradiL constantly evaluating

We are pleased to announce our intention to establish a new airline subsidiary in Malta.

Wizz Air is constantly evaluating the structure of its business and exploring options to establish new AOCs and bases in Europe and beyond.

The successful establishment of Wizz Air Malta later this year will help to reinforce our strong position and support our expansion plans in Europe.

We look forward to working with EASA and the Maltese CAA to take this application forward.

Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA, said: “

Patrick Ky: looking forward

This will be a new step in the already well-established cooperation between the Agency, the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate and Wizz Air.

This new set-up, where one group will operate multiple AOCs based in different Member States, but overseen by the same Competent Authority, demonstrates the possibilities available through the transfer of responsibilities to EASA.

We are looking forward to working together on the issuance of this brand-new AOC and the subsequent oversight activities.

Capt Charles Pace, Director General of the Civil Aviation Directorate Malta, stated:

Capt Charles Pace: an honour

It is an honour to have Wizz Air as one of the Airlines selecting Malta as one of their Principal Places of Business.

The team effort and approach of CAD has once again been proven to be a winning formula.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CEO and Board of Wizz Air for their trust, and I look forward to working with EASA and Wizz Air in issuing the AOC and AOL.

Dave

Wizz Air announce orders for up to 196 Airbus aircraft

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Wizz Air Holdings has announced that it has signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of a further 102 Airbus A321 aircraft.

The order comprises 75 Airbus A321neo and 27 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with the bulk to be delivered between 2025 and 2027.

Wizz Air may also acquire a further 19 A321neo aircraft.

Airbus has also granted Wizz Air 75 A321neo purchase rights for deliveries in 2028-29, to be converted into a firm order by the end of 2022.

As with previous orders, under the agreement Wizz Air has the right to substitute a number of the Airbus A321neo aircraft with the Airbus A320neo and/or A321XLR aircraft and vice versa, depending on its future requirements. Completion of the order remains subject to approval by Wizz Air shareholders.  

With the new order, Wizz Air’s delivery backlog comprises:

  • a firm order for 34 A320neo, 254 A321neo and 47 A321XLR aircraft
  • the additional order for 19 A321neo
  • purchase rights for 75 A321neo
  • a total of 429 aircraft

József Váradi, Wizz Air’s chief executive officer said:

After two years in service, Wizz Air’s Airbus A321neo continues to provide market-leading aircraft technology and choice – there is simply no other aircraft that can compete with it. With its next-generation engines, it has proven to be the game-changer that we said it would be when we placed our first order back in 2015.

But most importantly, these are by far the most fuel and cost efficient aircraft in their class – supporting us in maintaining our position as the most sustainable airline in Europe and reaching our sustainability goals of reducing CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre by 25% by 2030. It is important to note that if all European airlines switched to a modern Airbus A320/1 fleet like Wizz Air and operated them as efficiently as Wizz Air, the whole industry’s CO2 emissions would reduce by 34% overnight.

Wizz Air is an ambitious airline with a strategy that seeks to grow the company and will continue to stimulate demand for air travel in Europe and beyond by offering the lowest fares and CO2 footprint to our customers, while still delivering a great customer experience on-board one of the youngest fleets in Europe. Our current average aircraft age stands at 5.1 years, well below the industry average, but with this new order we will see this drop to 3.6 years by 2024, and even further to 3.2 years by 2026.

Despite strong demand for the aircraft, we have signed very attractive terms with Airbus for the long-term supply of more aircraft until the end of the decade, catapulting Wizz Air towards our aim of being a 500 aircraft group and putting us in an unassailable position when it comes to sustainability.

This new order, if approved by Wizz Air’s shareholders, would bring Wizz Air’s outstanding orders with Airbus to 429 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft.

Dave

Edinburgh Airport reveals measures, backed up by “let’s all flysafe” campaign

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A new campaign and range of measures to help passengers and staff prepare for the return of travel has been announced by Edinburgh Airport.

The “let’s all flysafe” campaign is part of the airport’s readiness programme as airlines begin to restart operations and will provide confidence and reassurance to those travelling through and working at the airport.

Measures introduced at the airport include:


The sky-blue line will guide people into the terminal while the maroon line will guide people out of the terminal.
  • One-way colour-coded systems to manage flow and social distance
  • Hand sanitising stations installed inside and outside the airport
  • Protective screens installed in check-in, security and arrivals
  • A trial of temperature checking technology for departing passengers
  • Staff wearing face coverings and PPE in passenger facing areas
  • Enhanced cleaning schedules and new fogging machines to disinfect trollies and wheelchairs
  • Deep cleaning of security trays, and new anti-viral trays introduced

Sanitising stations have been installed for people to clean their hands before entering the terminal, before and after security and in Arrivals.

The campaign is backed by new signage at the airport clearly explaining to people where they need to go. They include colours different from the traditional brand colours. The sky-blue, maroon red and lime green differentiates the campaign from regular materials.

Social media graphics will also be used to prepare people ahead of arriving at the airport, while emails containing the same messaging will be sent to our passengers.

The campaign encourages staff and passengers to work together and for all of us to do what we can to protect each other and flysafe. The airport has introduced five general rules for travellers to follow:

  • Don’t risk it – don’t fly or come to the airport if you feel unwell
  • Protect yourself and others – please wear a face covering
  • Clean your hands often – wash or use sanitiser
  • Maintain social distancing and be mindful of other passengers
  • Be kind, be patient and flysafe

The introduction of the campaign and enhanced measures comes as airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, Loganair, Wizz and British Airways look to reintroduce parts of their schedule.

The let’s all flysafe campaign has been created in partnership with Edinburgh-based The Lane Agency who have a strong track record with high-profile campaigns and a close relationship with the airport.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said:

We know how important it is to provide passengers with reassurance and confidence as they look to return to travel and we’ve spent a lot of time looking at how we do that by making improvements to our operation.

The steps we have taken will allow people to get moving safely and reopen our economy by providing that connectivity that our airlines are rebuilding. We all have a part to play in this recovery and we must make sure we do that by encouraging people to flysafe.

Adam Wilson, Operations Director at Edinburgh Airport said:

Although we never want to see a near empty airport, we’ve utilised the time to closely look at the terminal and surrounding areas and come up with a plan to protect everyone as much as possible.

We know the layout is different and we know it will take time to adapt to it, but we believe the campaign and measures are the right thing for our airport and our passengers. We’re effectively welcoming people into our home and these changes are our way of providing them with confidence and reassurance, letting them know we care about and them and their journeys.

We’ll continue to evaluate our approach as we go forward, and we encourage people to provide feedback and help us all flysafe.