RCS - Wizz Air Holdings - Wizz Air marks 10 years on LSE & new XLR route

Wizz Air HoldingsAnnouncement

25/02/2025 15:00

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RNS Number : 4214Y  Wizz Air Holdings PLC  25 February 2025

 

 

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
(https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r06/___https:/www.wizzair.com/js-lg___.ZXV3MjpuZXh0MTU6YzpvOjIxMGExYmJjMjIzY2UyYTFmY2NiYzc2MGY1NTNhNGFkOjc6ZTY5MDo2ODMzNTZlOWIwNmRjZmYyYmVmNTA2YTI5M2YxNGM2MTg4ZTM3MTFmYTQ0OTgyZTU0MGU2OGM0OTU4ZmZkOWIxOmg6VDpU)
, 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 1(st) 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 31(st) 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
(https://www.cirium.com/resources/on-time-performance/)  - 2024 On-Time
Performance Review, Wizz Air achieved
(https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/virgin-atlantic-is-most-punctual-airline-in-uk-market)
 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
c (mailto:communications@wizzair.com) ommunications@wizzair.com
(mailto:communications@wizzair.com)

                   James McFarlane/Eleni Menikou/Charles
Hirst, MHP Group  wizz@mhpgroup.com (mailto:wizz@mhpgroup.com)

 

 

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