3 minute read
Scheduled for Take Off
from Aviation & Aerospace
by Dubai Carbon
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the nation’s newest airline, received its AOC, the last step in the regulatory processes for starting the airline
Wizz Abu Dhabi is a joint venture between the Hungarian budget airline, Wizz Air and the Abu Dhabi state holding company, ADQ, founded in December 2019. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will offer low cost flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport and tap into growth markets across the MENA region and the Indian subcontinent.
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The UAE’s new national airline, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, has officially received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, GCAA, putting it on track to commence operations in November.
Receiving the AOC completes the last step in the regulatory processes for starting the airline and is the confirmation from the GCAA that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is in compliance with all applicable requirements and is fully capable of fulfilling its responsibilities and conducting a safe and efficient operation. The AOC processes have been completed over the course of eight months, during a period of unprecedented crisis in the airline industry due to COVID-19, travel restrictions and lockdowns across the countries. Despite this, both the GCAA and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi representatives managed to obtain the necessary requirements to acquire the operator certificate.
Wizz Air demonstrated its operational capabilities to the GCAA during special demonstration flights conducted on board of the most modern aircraft currently available in the market, the Airbus A321 Neo. This aircraft type with its very fuel efficient, P&W GTF engines is as such also the first of its kind in the Middle East and certification thereof by the UAE authorities was conducted in parallel to the AOC process.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi received its first aircraft in the beginning of September, which has been branded with the distinguished “Abu Dhabi” lettering on the vertical fin. In the first six months of operations, the airline anticipates the growth of its fleet in Abu Dhabi to six planes.
“We congratulate Wizz Air for successfully obtaining the AOC after meeting all the required standards and passing all inspections. We are proud to add Wiz Air as a national carrier in the United Arab Emirates and I would like to thank all the employees of Wizz Air and the General Civil Aviation Authority team for the efforts that have been made for this achievement,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA.
The Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Kees Van Schaick, said in a statement: “The issuance of the AOC marks the most important milestone for us as we have now received all regulatory approvals to operate the airline. We have clearly demonstrated to the GCAA that we are fully capable of conducting a safe operation. We will offer our customers ultra-low fares, a quality inflight product by our excellent cabin crew and will make the lowest possible environmental impact along the way. Our new airline, majority owned by our partner ADQ, will bring a lot of value to Abu Dhabi airport and the emirate of Abu Dhabi. We are very grateful for the professionalism and co-operation shown by the GCAA in getting to this stage and we will ensure that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is a worthy addition to the established UAE national airlines.”
This announcement is the latest step in Wizz Air’s journey to establishing its presence in Abu Dhabi. Through affordable travel opportunities on their low fare network, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will contribute to the emirate’s economic development and diversity strategy through the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry.
Passengers can expect to spend as little as AED129 on a ticket through the website and mobile app to fly to the airline’s six routes, which will add an annual capacity of 350,00 seats.
To restore consumer confidence in air travel, Wiz Air Abu Dhabi is enhancing protective measures taken to ensure the maximum possible sanitary conditions for travellers. The airline has underscored hygiene measures and highlighted protocols such as mandatory face masks for staff as well as passengers, and aircraft disinfection procedures.
It is encouraging to see that airlines are still being launched, regardless of the pandemic and its adverse effects on the aviation and tourism industries. This goes to show that investors anticipate demand for air travel, which is “a good sign” as stated by Alexandre de Juniac, Director General of International Air Transport Association.
