Wizz Air admits it might cut capacity and park aircraft over the winter
Wizz Air is planning to park some of its aircraft over the winter if travel restrictions remain in place, it announced in an operational update today.
The airline is operating only 60% of its usual capacity and it said that if travel restrictions persist it is unlikely to be able to increase this to 80%, as previously anticipated.
"Further capacity reductions remain a possibility and as a result, Wizz Air may park parts of its fleet throughout the winter season to protect its cash balance," it said in a statement today.
Wizz announced yesterday that it will slash flights from its home country of Hungary after the government announced it is closing its borders to foreigners from 7 September to curb rising coronavirus infections.
However, it has recently announced it is expanding from the UK, with a new base opening at Gatwick this winter and today it revealed that it will operate a second aircraft from Doncaster Sheffield Airport this winter and launch new flights to Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Lisbon and Eindhoven from 22 October.
In the statement released today, the airline said it ‘remains focused on safeguarding its strong balance sheet and excellent liquidity position’.
Wizz Air added: "The health and safety of crew and passengers remains Wizz Air’s top priority and the Company continues to partner with the relevant authorities and follow their guidelines.
"Wizz Air’s ultra-low-cost business model is a significant competitive advantage in the current uncertain environment for airlines, and while the situation remains challenging, the Company is confident that it will emerge as a structural winner from the Covid-19 crisis."
The airline, which was one of the first to resume leisure flights following the UK lockdown, has been criticised by consumer groups for refusing to refund passengers even though they were prevented from entering countries due to Covid-related travel restrictions.
By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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