**Wizz Air to Cease Abu Dhabi Operations Amid Challenging Geopolitical and Operational Climate**
Dubai, Jul 14 (AP) — Wizz Air, a renowned low-cost airline, has announced plans to halt all flight operations based in Abu Dhabi. This move, effective September 1, comes as the company grapples with geopolitical tensions and other operational challenges impacting its financial margins.
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has long been overshadowed by the bustling Dubai International Airport, a global hub for international travel.
On Monday, in a post shared on its social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, the Hungarian carrier cited the need to refocus on core markets in Central and Eastern Europe. This decision follows a turbulent period marked by a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which led airlines into tumultuous scenarios due to airspace restrictions.
Wizz Air’s CEO, József Váradi, reflected on the company's remarkable journey in the Middle East but acknowledged the significantly changed operating environment.
“Supply chain challenges, geopolitical instability, and limited market opportunities have made it increasingly tough to keep our original ambitions intact,” Váradi noted.
The airline’s Abu Dhabi venture, in collaboration with the government-owned Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Co., represented its first foray outside Europe.
Despite requests for comments, Abu Dhabi's airport authority has remained silent on the matter. The comparative figures reveal the vast gulf in passenger traffic: Dubai International Airport welcomed 92.3 million passengers last year, whereas Zayed Airport saw 28.8 million.
Even before this decision, Wizz Air was facing financial strain, compounded by an unexpected Iranian attack on a US military base in neighboring Qatar, which rattled regional travelers.
Historically, the Arab Gulf states have been considered safe refuges amidst the broader Middle Eastern instability.
In the previous fiscal year, Wizz Air reported a sharp 41.5% decline in net profits, dropping from 365.9 million euros (USD 427.8 million) to 213.9 million euros (USD 250 million), despite a 3.8% increase in revenue to 5.3 billion euros (USD 6.2 billion).
The airline asserts that reallocating resources to regions with greater potential for sustained growth and profitability is a strategic move.
This development occurs as the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates, seeks to boost tourism and diversify its economy beyond its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
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