Low-cost carrier Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between state-owned ADQ and Wizz Air Holdings, said on Friday that it will accelerate and expand operations further this year after a “record-breaking” 2022. 

The airline, which now flies to a total of 36 destinations to 25 countries from Abu Dhabi, saw its passenger numbers rising by six-fold to more than 1.2 million last year. It also doubled its fleet size from four to eight state-of-the-art brand-new A321-neo aircraft. 

“[The airline] is ready to accelerate and expand operations further in 2023,” Wizz Air said in a statement, adding that the airline is now the second-largest carrier in Abu Dhabi by seat capacity. 

“Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is looking forward to future growth, in line with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, and further strengthen the position of the UAE as one of the best destinations in the world for tourism.” 

The budget carrier launched operations in December 2019. It has recently expanded its network into Central Asia and other major destinations including the Maldives and across the Gulf region. 

(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Daniel Luiz) 

Cleofe.maceda@lseg.com