The expansion into Abu Dhabi by Wizz Air in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company, which is state-owned, could result in the creation of the region’s first low-cost carrier.
There is potential for a global market for Wizz Air with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi with increasing connectivity with southwest Asia in addition to a number of LCC Asia-Europe connections.
Up to 50 aircraft could be being flown by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi within the next decade, according to the airline.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi could bring with it a potential increase of the client base of the parent airline to as many as five billion people.
Wizz Air could potentially expand further into destinations all over the Middle East as well as Africa and the Indian subcontinent, with the company’s strategic location making it a vital destination between existing markets in Europe and possible future ventures.
Dubai is already being serviced for certain destinations and dates by Wizz Air, but the arrival of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi makes it possible for travellers from the United Arab Emirates have more destinations to choose from as well as a regional LCC airline.
The locations that are to connect the airline with Abu Dhabi have yet to be officially announced, but with 50 aircraft being predicted within the next decade is a big change in the way regional connectivity is to be facilitated by Wizz Air.
Tourism both to and from the capital of the UAE will be boosted by focusing on the connections between Abu Dhabi and Europe, as Routesonline already reported.
This may be the reason for the partnership between Wizz Air and ADDH, a UAE government umbrella group which is focused on agency oversights to boost the nation’s reputation internationally.
Although the Middle East is rich in oil, the increasing prevalence of more environmentally friendly sources of energy is seeing Middle Eastern governments trying to diversify their economic sources.
The UAE tapping into tourism is an obvious move given its offerings to visitors from all over the world, such as sights like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or being able to do business within central Abu Dhabi.
The partnership with ADDH also gives Wizz Air the additional advantage of being able to more easily plan partnerships with other tourism and transit companies that ADDH is responsible for monitoring and guiding.
Travellers with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will also be able to enjoy an expedited process while flying with the airline because of the arrangement.
If the arrival of the airline in the second half of the year ends up preceding the LCC joint venture of Air Arabia and Etihad that has been proposed, it will be the region’s first LCC.
Either way, it will still have the advantage of being the region’s only LCC carrier to have a proven track record of service.
Anyone flying in the United Arab Emirates should take out travel insurance coverage to ensure financial protection from unforeseen events, such as illness or delayed flights.
