WIZZ Air Celebrates 20 Years of Transformative Air Travel: Pioneering, Sustainable and looking towards the Future 

Wizz Air proudly celebrates two decades of innovation, growth, and unparalleled service in the aviation industry.

Since its inception in 2003, Wizz Air has been at the forefront of revolutionizing air travel, catering to over 400 million passengers worldwide and marking numerous milestones along the way.

The airline reflects on the journey and the early days of its operations. It was not always a smooth ride for the airline, however these moments are now an integral part of Wizz Air’s legacy.

The 19th May 2004 was an important moment for Wizz Air. The day of the first flight, the team was excitedly preparing for the maiden take off scheduled for 6:00am. At 5:30am, the CEO was still not at the location. It transpires that he overslept and was waken up abruptly by the chief Operations Officer at that time. With much yelling and emotion, he was on board by 5:51am just in time for the take-off.

Later that day Mr. Váradi was invited to speak on CNN about the new airline. The interview had a little spin too when the anchor told him the following “Wizz Air is the 57th new airline recently created, who needs you? Come back in a year if you are still around”.

“The rest is history, however Wizz Air carried 400 million passengers in the past 20 years and even I’m still around.” – commented József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air

From its agile beginnings, Wizz Air has soared to new heights, serving as a beacon of connectivity and accessibility in Europe and beyond. With a commitment to democratizing travel, Wizz Air has facilitated unprecedented access to destinations, fostering economic and cultural exchange across borders.

In the past two decades, Wizz Air has achieved remarkable feats, including flying to nearly 200 destinations in 53 countries. Bolstered by a network of four airlines, the airline group has demonstrated firm dedication to safety, reliability, and excellence in operation.

With a relentless focus on sustainable practices, Wizz Air has set the standard for responsible aviation, earning recognition year after year the most sustainable airline in the world. Through innovative initiatives, and a young fleet, it continues to minimize its environmental footprint.

With ambitious plans to become a 500-aircraft airline by 2030, the airline is  committed to continue shaping the future of aviation and enhancing the travel experience for generations to come and to liberate the lives of its passengers via affordable travel.

“I extend my greatest gratitude to every one of you for your continued support and relentless commitment over the past two decades. Together, we have changed the world and achieved a remarkable success. Thank you! Our eyes are on the next 20 years now.” – said József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air