Wizz Air

[Bigman]

Pretty intense reading. So are we hinting that even if they didn't consolidate over the hill, they are not in a great state and we could end up losing them anyway?

 

[Finger66]

Think that situation has been fairly evident for some time now, despite protestations to the contrary. I think MOL knows how precarious their position is and is why he has made the predictions he has. I really hope Wizz don't go to the wall, especially if they are still op ex LBA

 

[Len Fish]

If the rumours re. Wizz wobbling are correct then MOL may see it as an ideal time to help them over the edge to see off another competitor. Not healthy for the aviation industry or the passenger but this is a cut throat business with well established players, who if they feel threatened will respond accordingly.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

If the rumours about Wizz are true

My issue with where this rumour has started is the account it started on. Not to downplay what they do, but sometimes they are way of the mark with the money (remember that account also started other rumours re: Jet2 long haul winter ops only and was wrong). So as with all rumours, a divert and then going "is this more of things to come in Summer 26" for me needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. A very large one at that - not to discredit them as they are on the money some times.

If it was another twitter account he usually is bang on the money but doesn't post much in the way of commercial information (such as Wizz into MAN) but more cryptic messages.

However I dont want to detract from the discussion as I think it's a very interesting discussion re: Wizz and it's certainly encouraged forum members who were silent lurkers to post; and is encouraging good, honest, respectful and open debate at a time when aviation news is very somewhat limited. Long may this continue.

As for the MOL/WIzz I've posted it once I'll post it again. He's been saying this for 10 years. Someone isn't happy with the 737-10MAX delays and Wizz been able to flood routes with 239 seats as opposed to their maximum of 197. Beg's the question why doesn't MOL cover them to 737-MAX9's. Anyway thats separate thread.

 

[752]

An interesting few post on X from a MAN centric page. In my opinion sounds to backtrack slightly re Wizz news on MAN. It’s all abit cryptic (this is not a dig to the poster btw.) his post includes people questioning his credibility.

Interesting to read but I for one, would love to see Wizz stay at LBA/LPL.

Also worth noting Wizz have added a 9 321neo to Gdańsk.. so chopping LBA it must of been underperforming..

Really hope to see more from them but doesn’t seem likely

 

[gulftraveller]

I too hope Wizz stay put. But the post again is simply saying that according to the rumours, there is a discussion underway. I see no backtracking. That is all that has ever been said on that forum, unless I have misunderstood.

 

[White Heather]

I too hope Wizz stay put. But the post again is simply saying that according to the rumours, there is a discussion underway. I see no backtracking. That is all that has ever been said on that forum, unless I have misunderstood.

It's exactly the same 'rumour' that was around a year ago. And I would guess it'll be there again next year too unless of course the rumour comes true in the meantime.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

It's exactly the same 'rumour' that was around a year ago. And I would guess it'll be there again next year too unless of course the rumour comes true in the meantime.

The rumour that will be around - will always be around.

An interesting few post on X from a MAN centric page. In my opinion sounds to backtrack slightly re Wizz news on MAN. It’s all abit cryptic (this is not a dig to the poster btw.) his post includes people questioning his credibility.

I read that also. Found interesting read and interesting that it is 50/50.

 

[Len Fish]

It's exactly the same 'rumour' that was around a year ago. And I would guess it'll be there again next year too unless of course the rumour comes true in the meantime.

Unless of course O’Leary’s prediction is correct!

 

[Finger66]

Unless of course O’Leary’s prediction is correct!

I think MOL is right to some degree in that there will be casualties in the European Airline Industry, quite likely as he says, before Xmas. Will Wizz be one of them, not in my eyes, at least not for the time being. We may need to look much closer to home than Hungary for the identity of one of those casualties. It is going to be a challenging winter. Those that do survive will only come out stronger.
As for MOLs U2 prediction, I just think that he still hasn't found what he is looking for! Purely wishful thinking on his part.

 

[White Heather]

Wizz are launching 5 new routes out of Gdansk this winter, including Madrid and Vilnius, using their 9 based aircraft, so it looks very like they've sacrificed the LBA route to enable new opportunities and perhaps ones with no competition from Ryanair.

Incidentally, they are now saying they won't have all their grounded aircraft back in service before the end of 2027, and even that isn't guaranteed as its subject to Pratt and Whitney upping their game, as they've promised. Currently there are 38 aircraft grounded.

 

[lbaspotter]

3rd weekly Cluj-Napoca -Leeds service starts today

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I think MOL is right to some degree in that there will be casualties in the European Airline Industry, quite likely as he says, before Xmas. Will Wizz be one of them, not in my eyes, at least not for the time being. We may need to look much closer to home than Hungary for the identity of one of those casualties. It is going to be a challenging winter. Those that do survive will only come out stronger.
As for MOLs U2 prediction, I just think that he still hasn't found what he is looking for! Purely wishful thinking on his part.

MOL now on set to get a €100 million if not over bonus in 2028 (he will stay to then) because the share price of Ryanair has stayed above €20 per share since mid summer. Is it any wonder why he comes out with these predictions about Wizz - slates Wizz, promotes his own airline, tells the world how good the airline is doing - share price rises.

If Wizz (fingers crossed they don't) do go into administration it's obvious that O'Leary will be sniffing around. The issue would be integrating it into the Ryanair model. The fleet, the staff, the model.

One would suspect the anti growth / anti joy / anti anything lot in the EU will put a stop to the merger citing "removes competition" whilst allowing Lufthansa to eat the competition around and merge into one major player (one doesn't doubt that MOL will come out and say this). But if they do - Wow what an integration and interesting time ahead we will have. A321NEO's for Ryanair - suddenly access to 230+ seat aircraft. Places MOL has publicly fallen out with (Spain / Italy etc) that he would have to deal with. For example Wizz Air Romes base is HUGE.

 

[White Heather]

MOL now on set to get a €100 million if not over bonus in 2028 (he will stay to then) because the share price of Ryanair has stayed above €20 per share since mid summer. Is it any wonder why he comes out with these predictions about Wizz - slates Wizz, promotes his own airline, tells the world how good the airline is doing - share price rises.

If Wizz (fingers crossed they don't) do go into administration it's obvious that O'Leary will be sniffing around. The issue would be integrating it into the Ryanair model. The fleet, the staff, the model.

One would suspect the anti growth / anti joy / anti anything lot in the EU will put a stop to the merger citing "removes competition" whilst allowing Lufthansa to eat the competition around and merge into one major player (one doesn't doubt that MOL will come out and say this). But if they do - Wow what an integration and interesting time ahead we will have. A321NEO's for Ryanair - suddenly access to 230+ seat aircraft. Places MOL has publicly fallen out with (Spain / Italy etc) that he would have to deal with. For example Wizz Air Romes base is HUGE.

Ryanair plus Wizz as a single entity would be a juggernaut of an airline. Over 600 aircraft. The biggest ever I'd imagine. It would be interesting to watch what happens should it come to pass. Would the Wizz fleet be absorbed into Ryanair and how would that work given every aircraft they have (or have ordered) is a 737, except the A320s of Lauda. I'm not sure if Lauda operate as a separate airline to Ryanair though even though they are owned by them?

Would Ryanair keep the Wizz brand, or fully integrate the airline into Ryanair?

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Ryanair plus Wizz as a single entity would be a juggernaut of an airline. Over 600 aircraft. The biggest ever I'd imagine. It would be interesting to watch what happens should it come to pass. Would the Wizz fleet be absorbed into Ryanair and how would that work given every aircraft they have (or have ordered) is a 737, except the A320s of Lauda. I'm not sure if Lauda operate as a separate airline to Ryanair though even though they are owned by them?

Would Ryanair keep the Wizz brand, or fully integrate the airline into Ryanair?

Ryanair have:

Ryanair (324 aircraft)
Ryanair UK (15 Aircraft)
Lauda Air (26 Aircraft)
Buzz (74 Aircraft)
Malta Air (179 Aircraft)

Wizz have:

Wizz Air Hungary (107 Aircraft)
Wizz Air Malta (104 Aircraft)
Wizz Air UK (19 Aircraft - 1XLR)

This would involve 8 AOC's operating under one one holdings (total fleet as of now = 848).

I don't even know where to begin what would happen. Wizz would have to operate to an extent separately as another brand of Ryanair - Wizzair by Ryanair or what have you. UK wise - merge them together.

In the UK suddenly Ryanair would have a big presence in LTN and would have more presence at London Gatwick. With Ryanair been the juggernaut it is - suddenly easyJet would feel the presence of Ryanair going after those routes easyJet have had it easy on for so long. And with 239 seat aircraft.

I don't think it'll ever happen.

 

[Len Fish]

Maybe he would just prefer to see Wizz go under without making any bid for it. One less competitor and Ryanair could expand at its own pace rather than be faced with a massive and disruptive take over and integration.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Maybe he would just prefer to see Wizz go under without making any bid for it. One less competitor and Ryanair could expand at its own pace rather than be faced with a massive and disruptive take over and integration.

The issue would be the void that’s left and who could take over Wizz. For example one of the airline groups (Lufthansa, IAG), one of the UAE lot. Wizz is an attractive buy.

 

[Aviador]

I'll taylor my response from a Leeds specific standpoint.

Wizz Air is an Ultra Low Cost Carrier and with that brings significant opportunities for LBA.

I believe whatever the future holds for Wizz, for Leeds Bradford Airport it is important to continue to work with Wizz to try to further expand their offering.

For LBA it is vital to continue to attract airlines from Eastern Europe as they are the only airlines that can realistically fill the quieter times of the day. Recent speculation regarding a potential move to Manchester only highlights the fact that Manchester needs these flights for much the same reason.

So far as I am concerned, LBA should do whatever it takes to keep Wizz, and build on what they have already achieved, in addition to attract additional airlines from Eastern Europe.

This does look to be the strategy of Leeds Bradford Airport, and given the airport's connection with Newcastle and Luton airports through Infrabridge, the airport already has relationships with other airlines in those countries.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I'll taylor my response from a Leeds specific standpoint.

Wizz Air is an Ultra Low Cost Carrier and with that brings significant opportunities for LBA.

I believe whatever the future holds for Wizz, for Leeds Bradford Airport it is important to continue to work with Wizz to try to further expand their offering.

For LBA it is vital to continue to attract airlines from Eastern Europe as they are the only airlines that can realistically fill the quieter times of the day. Recent speculation regarding a potential move to Manchester only highlights the fact that Manchester needs these flights for much the same reason.

So far as I am concerned, LBA should do whatever it takes to keep Wizz, and build on what they have already achieved, in addition to attract additional airlines from Eastern Europe.

This does look to be the strategy of Leeds Bradford Airport, and given the airport's connection with Newcastle and Luton airports through Infrabridge, the airport already has relationships with other airlines in those countries.

And the more general point is that the more the airport can diversify away from Jet2 and Ryanair the more secure its position will become.

 

[Aviador]

And the more general point is that the more the airport can diversify away from Jet2 and Ryanair the more secure its position will become.

Absolutely. As much as we love the services Ryanair and Jet2 provide, it is important to diversify as much as possible for that very reason. A banker once told me the value of the airport would increase substantially with every new airline that bases at the airport. This is exactly why Liverpool have been trying to get Jet2 for years.