Highlights
- New airline supports "Ghadan 21" initiatives to make UAE capital a globally attractive destination for business, tourism and living
Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC ("ADDH") announced today that it concluded the definitive agreement with its partner Wizz Air Holdings Plc ("Wizz Air"), Europe’s fastest growing and greenest airline*, to jointly establish Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. The low-cost airline is set to launch its operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport in Fall 2020.
The agreement is a major milestone in the launch of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a new Emirati low-cost airline based in the UAE’s capital. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi plans to start operations in the second half of the year, bringing low fares paired with a high-quality on-board experience to a range of destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
With Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s recruitment activities set to commence in the coming months, the agreement will create new job opportunities, boost the economy and attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi. The announcement is also in line with Abu Dhabi’s AED 50bn accelerator programme Ghadan 21, which is driving the emirate’s development through investing in business, innovation and people.
Following the agreement, the airline development team has already initiated the process with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority to obtain the carrier’s Air Operator Certificate and Operating License.
The airline will focus on establishing routes to markets in which Wizz Air has existing, high growth operations, namely Central and Eastern and Western Europe.
About ADQ
Established in 2018, ADQ is an active global sovereign investor with a focus on critical infrastructure and supply chains. As a strategic partner to the Government of Abu Dhabi, ADQ invests in the growth of business platforms anchored in the Emirate that deliver value to local communities and long-term financial returns to its shareholder. ADQ’s expanding portfolio has a total book value of USD 225 billion (as at 30 June 2024) and encompasses companies across numerous core sectors of the economy, including energy and utilities, transport and logistics, food and agriculture, and healthcare and life sciences.
For more information, visit adq.ae or write to media@adq.ae. You can also follow ADQ on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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