Wizz Air Calls for Urgent Action to Achieve Net Zero by 2050

Wizz Air, a champion of sustainability in the airline industry, has called for “radical change and radical intervention” to accelerate the industry’s efforts toward net zero emissions by 2050. On April 22, 2025, during Earth Day celebrations, Wizz Air presented its ambitious roadmap for achieving net zero, with a particular focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, which the airline sees as the key to making meaningful progress.

Wizz Air’s Corporate & ESG Officer, Yvonne Moynihan, highlighted the industry’s stagnation in SAF production, citing its high cost and limited availability as major obstacles to achieving the 2050 goal. “Everybody says that SAF is the most viable option, but the problem is, there’s not enough of it, and it’s too expensive. That’s what’s slowing us,” Moynihan told AeroTime. The airline explained that when the 2050 target was first set, it was assumed that SAF production would be further along, with the expectation that greater supply would reduce costs. However, this progress has not materialized.

According to Wizz Air, efforts to achieve net zero emissions are “sliding off course,” particularly due to rising regulatory compliance costs. The airline pointed out that European airlines are hindered in their sustainability efforts by these escalating expenses.

To address these challenges, Wizz Air outlined a comprehensive plan built around three key areas: flights, fuel, and footprint. The roadmap emphasizes the industrialization of technology to achieve significant reductions in emissions, with the airline’s net zero ambition relying on five main pillars:

53% decarbonization through the increased use of SAF

21% decarbonization through advancements in aircraft and engine technology

7% decarbonization through fleet renewal

4% decarbonization through air traffic reform

2% decarbonization through operational efficiencies

This roadmap aligns with the long-term climate goals set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Wizz Air is calling for European governments to play a more active role in supporting the airline industry’s efforts to prioritize sustainability. “We need action, not just ambition,” Moynihan said. “We’re calling on governments, regulators, and the fuel industry to wake up to the reality of aviation’s transition and start delivering the changes that will make net zero possible.”

Wizz Air’s plan focuses on the available technologies and immediate solutions, particularly the development and widespread adoption of SAF. The airline has already invested in a modern fleet of fuel-efficient Airbus A321neos, making it the airline with the lowest emissions intensity per passenger kilometer globally. It also has a goal to reduce emissions by 25% by 2030.

While Wizz Air is not currently focusing on hydrogen-powered aircraft, it believes that SAF can provide the necessary catalyst for change. The airline has been advocating for greater SAF production in its home country of Hungary, where there is currently no local SAF production. Through a partnership with the government, Wizz Air is working toward implementing a national SAF strategy and is exploring the feasibility of establishing a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Hungary.

Moynihan emphasized that while Wizz Air supports a bold vision for achieving net zero, the current pace of change is insufficient. “The truth is that the current pace of change is not enough, and without radical intervention, aviation will fail to meet its commitments,” she concluded.

With a strong call for urgent action, Wizz Air is urging stakeholders to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the aviation industry’s path to net zero is achievable by 2050.

Tags: Aerotime, SyndicEx250330B-0427B

Wizz Air Calls for Urgent Action to Achieve Net Zero by 2050

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