Wizz Air is to expand its Vienna operations with the deployment of two additional Airbus A321 at Vienna Airport by March 2019, growing its annual capacity to over two million seats on sale.
Following the establishment of the Vienna base with three aircraft this coming June, the airline will deploy the two additional aircraft for a total of five based aircraft by March 2019, allowing Wizz to further diversify and expand its Vienna network.
The base establishment and expansion of operations represent a total investment of over $570 million, creating more than 200 direct jobs with Wizz Air.
Wizz Air’s service from Austria will include nine new routes from Vienna to Nice in France, Reykjavik in Iceland, Catania and Milan in Italy, Lisbon in Portugal, Madrid in Spain, Malmo and Stockholm Skavsta in Sweden, and Kharkiv in Ukraine. The newest services will commence in February and March 2019.
George Michalopoulos, chief commercial officer at Wizz Air, said: “Today’s announcement once again underlines our strong commitment to the Vienna market and Austria as a whole. After the opening of our Vienna base this June, in just nine months we’ll expand our operations to five based aircraft with a local team with more than 200 direct employees, while growing our low-fare network to 27 routes.”
The airline said its extended operations will also contribute to the local economy, supporting jobs in the aviation, transportation, hospitality and tourism industries.
“The fact that Wizz Air is already expanding its operations at Vienna Airport and will increase the number of aircraft stationed at its Vienna base by two to a total of five underlines the competitiveness of Vienna Airport as a competitive aviation hub and high-performance gateway,” said Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport. “Thanks to the expanded base as well as the additional flight connections, Wizz Air is provided added growth impetus to Vienna Airport and passengers will be offered an even broader range of travel options when flying out of Vienna.”
Michalopoulos went on to say: “Offering nearly half million seats on sale in 2018 and over two million in 2019 we are creating new opportunities for Austrian customers to visit some of the most beautiful cities and regions in Europe.”
