Article from BTNews 7 MAY 2018
Wizz gains UK AOC
In a move acknowledged by the carrier to be a key part of a Brexit contingency plan, Wizz Air last week received an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence (OL) from the Civil Aviation Authority for a wholly-owned subsidiary, Wizz Air UK.
Headquartered at Luton Airport, the company began operations on Thursday, with a first flight to Bucharest. Officials said Wizz Air UK would have eight new Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 aircraft in service by the end of 2018.
This represents an investment of US$860m (about £636m) and creates 300 new direct jobs for management, pilots and cabin crew. Including Wizz Air UK, the group will have almost 9m seats to and from the UK in 2018, a 14% year-on-year rise.
Group CEO József Váradi said: “Wizz Air UK’s first flight following approval of an operating licence marks the start of a new era. While Wizz Air UK is a key part of our Brexit contingency plan, it is also the first ultra-low-cost carrier licensed in the UK.
“It is the natural next step in the development of our UK business, putting us in a strong position to take advantage of opportunities that may arise in what remains Europe’s largest travel market.”
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