WIZZ Air celebrates "20 years of transformative air travel"

Wizz Air has proudly celebrated two decades of innovation, growth, and unparalleled service in the aviation industry.

Since its inception in 2003, Wizz Air has been at the forefront of revolutionising air travel, catering to over 400 million passengers worldwide and marking numerous milestones along the way.

The airline reflects on the journey and the early days of its operations. It was not always a smooth ride for the airline, however these moments are now an integral part of Wizz Air’s legacy.

The 19th of May 2004 was an important moment for Wizz Air. The day of the first flight, the team was excitedly preparing for the maiden take off scheduled for 6:00am. At 5:30am, the CEO - József Váradi - was still not at the location. It transpires that he overslept and was woken up abruptly by the chief Operations Officer at that time. With much yelling and emotion, he was on board by 5:51 am just in time for the take-off.

Later that day Váradi was invited to speak on CNN about the new airline. The interview had a little spin too when the anchor told him the following “Wizz Air is the 57th new airline recently created, who needs you? Come back in a year if you are still around”.

“The rest is history, however Wizz Air carried 400 million passengers in the past 20 years and even I’m still around.” – commented Váradi.

From its agile beginnings, Wizz Air has soared to new heights, serving as a beacon of connectivity and accessibility in Europe and beyond. With a commitment to democratizing travel, Wizz Air has facilitated unprecedented access to destinations, fostering economic and cultural exchange across borders.

In the past two decades, Wizz Air has achieved remarkable feats, including flying to nearly 200 destinations in 53 countries. Bolstered by a network of four airlines, the airline group has demonstrated firm dedication to safety, reliability, and excellence in operation.

With a relentless focus on sustainable practices, Wizz Air has set the standard for responsible aviation, earning recognition year after year the most sustainable airline in the world. Through innovative initiatives, and a young fleet, it continues to minimize its environmental footprint.

With ambitious plans to become a 500-aircraft airline by 2030, the airline is committed to continue shaping the future of aviation and enhancing the travel experience for generations to come and to liberate the lives of its passengers via affordable travel.

"I extend my greatest gratitude to every one of you for your continued support and relentless commitment over the past two decades. Together, we have changed the world and achieved a remarkable success. Thank you! Our eyes are on the next 20 years now," said Váradi.

Wizz Air has been one of the key players in Cyprus’ aviation landscape since 2010, transporting over 7 million passengers to date. In the past year alone, the company flew more than 2 million passengers, reinforcing its strong position. Offering over 26 destinations from Cyprus to 16 countries from Larnaca Airport. Wizz Air is honored to support Cypriot citizens and look forward to its continued role in shaping the future of air travel in Cyprus.

In recognition of this milestone, Wizz Air is offering a once-in-a-lifetime prize package that will enable one lucky winner to explore nearly 200 of the airline’s destinations globally. The chance to win a lifetime’s worth of flights worth €20,000. For a chance to win, adventure-seekers should purchase a Wizz Air ticket and submit their booking code and name on Wizz Air’s 20thanniversary competition page between 19 May 2024 00:00 (GMT+1) until 21 May 2024, 23:59 (GMT+1). The competition is open to any tax resident of the countries to which Wizz Air operates over the age of 18. With no restrictions on the prize, the winner will be able to take friends and family on as many trips as they like until reaching the €20,000 limit.