Wizz Air Cites Pro-Etihad Bias in Abu Dhabi Withdrawal

Wizz Air chief executive József Váradi says regulatory favoritism toward Etihad Airways played a key role in the airline’s decision to shut down Wizz Air Abu Dhabi earlier this year. Speaking about the closure, Váradi argued that the regulatory environment in Abu Dhabi lacked predictability and had become increasingly skewed in favor of the local flag carrier. He noted that such conditions undermined the group’s ability to compete on equal terms within the UAE market.

While regulatory bias was a major factor, Váradi pointed to several additional challenges that compounded the airline’s difficulties. Airspace closures across the region disrupted flight operations and complicated network planning, limiting the carrier’s ability to scale its Abu Dhabi operations effectively. The airline also struggled with limited traffic rights for strategic markets, restricting potential growth and preventing the development of long-haul or high-demand routes.

Technical issues added further pressure, with Wizz Air’s fleet facing prolonged disruptions caused by the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine problems affecting Airbus A320neo-family aircraft worldwide. Váradi said the harsh operating conditions in the Gulf accelerated these performance issues, reducing aircraft availability and reliability.

Together, these regulatory, operational, and technical constraints led Wizz Air to conclude that the Abu Dhabi venture was no longer sustainable, prompting its withdrawal from the market.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com