Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air is increasing its capacity in Central and Eastern Europe and expects strong summer traffic, projecting a total of 80 million passengers in 2026 while maintaining its low-fare strategy.
Speaking at an online press briefing, Chief Commercial Officer Ian Malin said the airline does not plan to cut flights or introduce fuel surcharges despite rising jet fuel prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
The airline has completed the first year of its three-year transformation programme, Customer First Compass, launched in April 2025. The initiative has delivered network expansion, improved customer satisfaction and the introduction of new passenger-focused services.
As part of the strategy, Wizz Air is strengthening connections between major capitals in Central and Eastern Europe and has opened new bases in cities including Bratislava, Palermo and Warsaw. At the same time, it has expanded existing hubs such as Budapest and Milan, while also reinforcing its position in the Italian domestic market.
The airline continues to prioritize affordability, with around 40 per cent of tickets priced below 40 euros, supported by its modern fleet and low-cost operating model.
In 2025 Wizz Air carried 68.6 million passengers and operated approximately 335,000 scheduled flights. For 2026, the airline expects a significant increase, with plans to run up to 1,200 daily flights during peak periods, marking a 20 per cent rise compared to the same period last year.
The Customer First Compass programme aims to enhance the passenger experience, improve punctuality and raise service quality while keeping fares low. The company plans to invest around 14 billion euros in the initiative over three years.
Malin noted that Wizz Air operated 99.5 per cent of its planned flights in the past period, a strong performance by industry standards, alongside a 7 per cent increase in flight numbers year-on-year.
Fleet modernization has been a key pillar of the airline’s strategy. Wizz Air now operates 262 aircraft, more than 75 per cent of which are next-generation Airbus A321neo jets. The average fleet age has fallen to 4.65 years, and the company plans to transition to this aircraft type by 2029 to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Over the past 12 months, the airline has added 37 new aircraft across 12 countries and launched more than 345 new routes. According to the company, adapting its network to customer demand has been essential to sustaining its ultra-low-cost model.
Wizz Air has also introduced several digital and onboard services to improve the passenger experience, including the WIZZ Link booking platform, WIZZ Class seating, and a disruption management tool offering alternative rebooking options during delays. Customer satisfaction has risen above 77 per cent, an improvement of around 5 percentage points year-on-year.
Additional digital developments include onboard ordering, connectivity testing and the MyJourney feature in the mobile app, which provides real-time updates and self-service options.
The airline remains committed to sustainability goals, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It complies with EU and UK requirements for sustainable aviation fuel and currently uses a 2 per cent SAF blend. Route optimization efforts have saved around 2,674 tonnes of fuel, while new seat designs contribute to lower emissions.
Owain Jones said the company is aligned with industry-wide climate targets, while Marion Geoffroy highlighted diversity goals, including increasing the share of female pilots to 7 per cent and women in senior leadership to 40 per cent by 2030.
Malin added that about 70 per cent of the airline’s summer fuel needs have already been secured at favourable prices, helping to limit cost increases compared to competitors that did not hedge fuel purchases.
Despite cost pressures, Wizz Air does not plan to introduce fuel surcharges, although ticket prices may still reflect broader market conditions. The company maintains a strong financial position, with approximately two billion euros in liquidity.
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