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Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi was a low-cost airline based at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The airline was a joint venture between state-owned Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) and Hungarian-based Wizz Air Holdings, with ADQ owning 51 percent of the shares and Wizz Air Holdings holding the remaining 49 percent.
The airline began operations in November 2020, initially operating two Airbus A321neo aircraft. In December 2019, Wizz Air announced its plans to establish a new subsidiary at Abu Dhabi International Airport, aiming to offer low-cost flights to growing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. The initial route network was unveiled in July 2020, with six destinations from the Abu Dhabi base.
As of January 2021, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's fleet consisted of four Airbus A321neo aircraft. In an interview, Jozsef VĂ¡radi, CEO of Wizz Air, stated that the airline's fleet could potentially grow to 100 aircraft in the next 15 years. However, on September 1, 2025, all operations were ceased, marking a six-year presence in the UAE and focusing on its core European markets.
During its operation, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi connected passengers with various destinations across Europe, including Almaty, Astana, Budapest, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Katowice, Sofia, Larnaca, Tel Aviv, Baku, Athens, Thessaloniki, and others. The airline's closure was met with a statement from Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves, who emphasized that there is no favoritism towards Etihad by Abu Dhabi and that the aviation regulation in the UAE adheres to universal principles of grandfather rights.
The Wizz Air Abu Dhabi website provided information on the airline's operations, fleet, and route network. The airline was also listed as a state-owned company under the umbrella of UAE Airlines, alongside other notable airlines such as Etihad Airways and Emirates International Airport.