- Wizz Air is in talks with airports to take over slots from airlines at risk of bankruptcy.
- Central and Eastern Europe remains Wizz Air’s core market.
- The airline is looking to expand in Italy and establish bases in Spain.
- Ryanair is also in talks with airports about slots.
- Wizz has scaled back Middle Eastern operations to focus on core markets.
Wizz Air is in talks with airports across Europe to take over slots from airlines at risk of bankruptcy. Chief corporate officer Owain Jones noted the airline is always negotiating deals with airports. The airline is seeking opportunities to expand amid mounting financial pressure on the sector.
Ryanair Holdings CEO Michael O’Leary noted in September that Ryanair was already in talks with airports concerned that capacity could be cut if more airlines went bankrupt. The competition for slots is particularly pronounced in Central and Eastern Europe. Ryanair has launched new routes to the Baltic countries and plans to double passenger numbers in the region over five years.
Jones reiterated that Central and Eastern Europe remains Wizz Air’s core market but the airline is also pursuing opportunities in other profitable European markets. Wizz has scaled back its Middle Eastern operations to concentrate on core markets and is looking to expand further in Italy and establish new bases in Spain.
Owain Jones shared “We are always negotiating deals with airports. That’s part of our business.”
