Wizz Air will soon stop all Abu Dhabi flights to control costs, refocus on Europe

Dubai: Wizz Air will stop all Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights starting September 1, 2025, due to ongoing engine problems, regional tensions, and regulatory hurdles.

These issues have made it harder to keep costs low for the Hungary-based carrier, so it is shifting its focus back to its main markets in Europe.

The airline said, on Monday, that it's decision to exit Abu Dhabi follows a "comprehensive reassessment of market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East", including:

• Ongoing engine performance issues in hot climates, affecting flight reliability

• Geopolitical tensions leading to repeated airspace closures and reduced passenger demand

• Regulatory barriers that have limited growth opportunities in key markets

Unable to maintain low-cost model

These issues, Wizz Air said, have made it difficult to maintain its low-cost business model profitably in the region.

As part of this strategic shift, the airline plans to exit the Wizz Air Abu Dhabi joint venture and redeploy resources to key growth markets in Central and Eastern Europe, along with selected Western European countries like Austria, Italy, and the UK.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi currently employs a workforce of 700 aviation professionals, which includes pilots, cabin crew, and other staff supporting their operations. The airline has been actively recruiting, aiming to expand its workforce as it grows its fleet and route network. In 2023, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi had a workforce of 400. 

JV with Abu Dhabi's ADQ

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi was launched as a joint venture between Wizz Air Holdings and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ, with the aim of providing low-cost flights across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. ADQ holds a 51% stake, while Wizz Air Holdings owns the remaining 49%. 

The airline began operations in November 2020 with two Airbus A321neo aircraft and had plans to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft in the coming years.

At its launch, Wizz Air announced six initial routes from Abu Dhabi and later extended services to Europe and neighbouring Arab countries. The airline’s long-term ambition was to grow its Abu Dhabi-based fleet to 100 aircraft over 15 years.

Ongoing disruptions

However, the airline faced ongoing disruptions due to engine-related maintenance problems, which have sidelined a significant number of aircraft from its Airbus-only fleet.

These challenges, tied to its Pratt & Whitney engines, have particularly impacted operations in hotter climates. In a recent update, CEO József Váradi confirmed the airline would scale back flying in regions with extreme weather conditions, which tend to accelerate engine wear and tear.

The airline also flagged that it expects operating expenses to rise slightly in the next financial year, due to a combination of grounded jets, phasing out older aircraft, and delayed savings from airport-related efficiencies.

'Difficult decision'

“While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances,” said József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air. “We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air's customer proposition and build shareholder value."

The airline said it remains committed to offering low-cost, efficient travel in markets where long-term profitability and scalability are achievable.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi had only recently resumed flights to and from the UAE capital, after briefly suspending operations earlier this year due to regional airspace closures following Iran’s strikes on a US base in Qatar.

The resulting airspace shutdowns by Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait had disrupted several carriers, including Wizz Air. Although the airline initially planned to resume services by June 30, some suspensions extended further due to ongoing tensions.