Wizz Air awarded EMEA’s Environmental Sustainability Airline Group for 2024

Wizz Air has been awarded EMEA’s Environmental Sustainability Airline Group for 2024 at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit & Sustainability Awards in Hong Kong.

This marks the third consecutive year that the airline has received a sustainability award at the annual CAPA Airline Leader Summit.

The CAPA Environmental Sustainability Awards for Excellence recognise airlines, airports and suppliers who put climate change at the forefront of their business. The awards are independently researched by CAPA’s analysts and carbon reduction strategists at Envest Global, based on the CAPA Envest Global Airline Sustainability Benchmarking Report. This report serves as a comprehensive industry resource, offering a transparent assessment of airline emissions and establishing an independent airline sustainability rating system.

This milestone is driven by a young and efficient fleet of 224 aircraft, over 60% of which are ultra-efficient Airbus A321neo, which can reduce fuel consumption by 20% and noise emissions by 50% per flight. These advancements align with Wizz Air's ambitious target to cut carbon intensity by 25% by 2030. As well as fleet renewal, Wizz Air has an aspiration to power 10% of its flights with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030. It aims to achieve this aspiration through its investments in SAF production companies and establishment of offtake agreements with strategic partners. Ahead of the EU SAF mandates, the airline group recently announced two SAF routes, Budapest to Barcelona and Budapest to Brussels Charleroi, and will gather insights from passengers regarding their awareness of sustainable aviation through a special survey during a trial basis.

József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer at Wizz Air, said: “This CAPA award reflects the dedication of our 8,100-strong team and our commitment to more affordable and sustainable air travel for everyone. Wizz Air confidently leads the charge in reducing average carbon emissions intensity by using the most advanced, and environmentally best performing aircraft. By up gaging our fleet from 180 seater to 239 seater aircraft, we have achieved a remarkable 52 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometre in financial year 2024. This milestone is driven by one of the youngest fleets globally, averaging 4.43 years, with over 60% of aircraft featuring fuel-efficient neo engines.

Airlines alone cannot make net zero happen: the entire industry, including every player in the ecosystem must do their part, from the fuel providers, through the airports, aircraft manufacturers and others. The key to achieving net zero emissions is industry collaboration and strategic investments into low carbon technologies, supported by governments and policymakers with necessary legislation and meaningful incentives.”

Marco Navarria, CAPA – Centre for Aviation, Content & Marketing Director, said: “The CAPA Aviation Sustainability Awards for Excellence highlight the leaders in sustainability across the air travel sector. Using independently sourced data, an in-depth analysis and judging process, these awards are a benchmark that serve to recognise those who make environmental performance a driving part of their strategy. The winners of the 2024 awards have demonstrated extensive commitment towards their own environmental sustainability initiatives, as well as supporting the industry’s wider goals as it looks to meet long term commitments to emissions reductions and ultimately a net zero future.”