Wizz Air announced that the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and the Chief Executive of Wizz Air József Váradi met to discuss the possible re-establishment and opening of Wizz Air Ukraine as a Ukrainian carrier.
Wizz Air Ukraine would establish an extensive low fare-low cost airline network in Ukraine by investing over US$ 2.5 billion* through the deployment of a fleet of up to 20 brand new Airbus A320/321 aircraft across a number of operating bases in Kyiv and regional centers in Ukraine, aiming at carrying around 6 million passengers a year by 2025.
The parties discussed the legislative, regulatory and economic conditions that are essential to finalize a long-term sustainable business proposition. Wizz Air Ukraine would elevate Ukraine’s airline industry by providing a highly cost-efficient and quality travel infrastructure for millions of Ukrainians and people who want to visit Ukraine. Beyond that Wizz Air Ukraine would create directly or indirectly around 6,000 local jobs and would significantly contribute to the economic prosperity of the country’s tourism and service industries. Based on today’s meeting and understanding of the above conditions Wizz Air Ukraine would target to be a licensed Ukrainian airline already next year, in 2019.
President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko commented: “I am very happy about the decision to return to Ukraine. I believe that this is a very symbolic decision that characterizes the changes that took place in Ukraine over the past four years. The fact that Wizz Air is ready to take the decision to resume operations of its subsidiary, to pay taxes in Ukraine, to own the planes that the parent company will transfer back to the subsidiary – will significantly improve the efficiency of the company’s cooperation with the government. Our meeting stands as proof that Ukraine’s doors are open for the company, and that our cooperation will be fruitful.”
Speaking in Kyiv today József Váradi said: “Ukraine has always been and remains a very important market for Wizz Air. Since 2008, when the airline started operations in the country, we have carried 7 million passengers on our low-fare routes to and from Ukraine, thus becoming the leading low-cost carrier in the market. In a demonstration of our commitment to Ukraine, and responding to strong customer demand, Wizz Air is prepared to scale up its investment in the country near term. This may include restart of our Ukrainian subsidiary Wizz Air Ukraine, provided we find necessary support from the national authorities. Our primary goal is to offer our Ukrainian customers more opportunities for affordable travel across and beyond Europe.”
