Hungary-based low-cost carrier Wizz Air plans to set up a new airline subsidiary registered in Malta, as it aims to reinforce the airline’s position and support expansion plans in Europe.
“Wizz Air is constantly evaluating the structure of its business and exploring options to establish new AOC’s and bases in Europe and beyond,” Wizz Air CEO József Váradi announced in a statement.
Once the air operator’s certificate (AOC) and air operator’s license (AOL) will be granted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Maltese Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Wizz Air Malta is expected to start operations in October 2022. The airline’s aircraft would also be registered in Malta.
“The successful establishment of Wizz Air Malta later this year will help to reinforce our strong position and support our expansion plans in Europe,” Varadi added. “We look forward to working with EASA and the Maltese CAA to take this application forward.”
“This new set-up, where one group will operate multiple AOCs based in different Member States, but overseen by the same Competent Authority, demonstrates the possibilities available through the transfer of responsibilities to EASA,” Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA, said. “We are looking forward to working together on the issuance of this brand-new AOC and the subsequent oversight activities.”
In the meantime, Wizz Air has plans to expand its services across Gulf countries.
On May 10, 2022, Wizz Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia over potential airline investment into the local aviation market as part of the Saudi Arabian project for domestic and foreign investors, Vision 2030.