Wizz Air is expanding its digital travel strategy with the launch of an AI-powered vacation platform while preparing to introduce Starlink satellite connectivity across its aircraft beginning in January 2027.
Wizz Holidays is designed to allow customers to book flights, accommodations and transfers through a single AI-powered platform. Separately, Wizz Air reached an agreement with Starlink in June to deploy satellite internet connectivity across its flights. The airline said the rollout would make it the first European ultra-low-cost carrier to offer advanced in-flight internet technology.
The digital investments arrive as Wizz Air continues aggressively expanding capacity. The airline carried 21.2 million passengers during the quarter ended June 30, up 25.1% year-over-year, while revenue increased 5.5% to €1.507 billion. Ancillary revenue increased 11% to €700.5 million.
Profitability remains under pressure. Wizz Air recorded a €198.2 million quarterly net loss compared with a €38.4 million profit a year earlier, reflecting higher fuel and depreciation unit costs, lower revenue per available seat kilometer and foreign exchange losses. Fuel costs increased 39% to €610.5 million.
The airline is simultaneously recovering capacity lost to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine inspections. GTF-related grounded aircraft declined to 27 at June 30 from 41 a year earlier. Wizz Air expects that number to fall to between 15 and 20 by the end of fiscal 2027 and reach zero by the end of calendar 2027.
Network expansion is increasingly focused on shorter European routes. Wizz Air announced new operating bases in Valencia, Madrid and Santiago de Compostela and plans to permanently base five aircraft in Spain, supporting 15 new domestic routes and three new international routes.
For Q2, Wizz Air expects available seat kilometers to increase approximately 20% year-over-year, with seats rising by a percentage in the high twenties. The company expects revenue per available seat kilometer to decline by a low-single-digit percentage despite what it described as unprecedented capacity growth.
KEY QUOTE:
“We are focused on strengthening the core network, improving density and reallocating flying from longer-haul Middle Eastern operations into shorter European sectors.”
József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer Of Wizz Air
