Budget airline Wizz Air Abu Dhabi aims to employ up to 400 pilots and cabin crew members in 2023 as it prepares to expand its routes and capture a larger portion of the demand for affordable air travel. The company currently has a workforce of 400.
Johan Eidhagen, CEO and Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, stated that the airline recently held a recruitment event for cabin crew and has another one scheduled. They are also looking to hire staff for ground operations at their Abu Dhabi hub. Glassdoor.com reports that pilots in Abu Dhabi earn an average of Dh 23,000-Dh36,000 per month (plus incentives), while cabin crew members make an average of Dh8,000 to Dh10,000 per month.
In 2022, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi doubled its size, carrying around 600,000 passengers in the first quarter of 2023. The airline's passenger numbers increased six-fold to 1.2 million passengers in 2022, and its fleet size grew from four to nine A321-neo aircraft. The airline now serves 39 destinations in 25 countries from Abu Dhabi and intends to launch flights to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and reintroduce popular routes such as Larnaca, Santorini, and Sohag.
The ninth aircraft, acquired in March, offers an additional 30,000 ultra-low-fare seats per month. Eidhagen said the focus has been on opening new destinations within a five-hour flight distance from Abu Dhabi, attracting more travelers to the franchise. Promotions during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr helped boost load factors and maintain low fares, resulting in more than double-digit sales increases.
Despite staffing shortages and industrial strike issues affecting the European market, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi does not plan to reduce capacity on affected routes.
The airline aims to expand its presence in GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. Eidhagen revealed that they have launched three routes into Saudi Arabia and are looking for opportunities to grow further in the market.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi faces competition from both legacy and budget carriers but remains focused on serving the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market in the UAE-Saudi sector. The airline does not intend to add premium cabins to its flights, maintaining its ultra-low-cost carrier model.
Eidhagen acknowledged potential supply chain issues impacting aircraft deliveries but expressed confidence in their close relationship with Airbus for priority and flexibility in delivery schedules.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is also eager to expand its operations in the Indian subcontinent and is seeking permits to launch services to India and Pakistan. The airline began flights to the Maldives in October of the previous year. Eidhagen confirmed that they have been designated to fly into Pakistan, which is a step towards operating in the country. They are currently working on obtaining regulatory approvals to start services.