Wizz Air has once again ranked as the airline with the most delays for flights departing from UK airports. The analysis, based on 2023 data from the Civil Aviation Authority, showed that Wizz Air flights were delayed by an average of 31 minutes and 36 seconds.
This marks the third consecutive year the airline has held this position, despite claiming significant operational improvements.
Wizz Air Faces Growth Amidst Persistent Delays
Other airlines also showed notable delays, with Turkish Airlines and Tui following closely behind Wizz Air. Turkish Airlines had an average delay of 28 minutes and 36 seconds, and Tui's flights were delayed by 28 minutes and 24 seconds.
The analysis covered airlines operating more than 2,500 flights from the UK, excluding any cancellations.
According to BBC, despite these challenges, Wizz Air's operations in the UK-which include services to and from cities like Aberdeen, Birmingham, and Liverpool-have seen a surge in passenger numbers, reaching a record 62 million in the 12 months ending March 2023.
It represents a growth of more than 20% compared to the previous year. Similarly, revenue from ticket sales rose by 11.2% year-on-year, aligning with general trends across the airline industry.
The airline attributes the persistent delays to a range of external challenges, including air traffic control disruptions and strikes, particularly in France, and technical issues with National Air Traffic Services in the UK last August.
However, a spokesperson for Wizz Air stated that over £90 million has been invested since 2022 to stabilize operations and enhance customer experience.
Despite these efforts, industry experts and consumer reports suggest that Wizz Air still has significant work to do to match the punctuality of competitors. The most punctual airline, according to the report, was Emerald Airlines, with an average delay of just over 13 minutes.
Wizz Air Targets Indian Market Expansion
Wizz Air is planning to shake up the Indian travel market by offering cheaper flights to Europe. The Hungarian airline has announced plans to add the Airbus A321XLR to its fleet by 2025. This long-range aircraft will allow Wizz Air to connect India with several European cities at lower costs, unlike its current fleet capabilities.
As reported by Travel and Leisure Asia, the launch of these flights is scheduled for the next financial year, pending regulatory approvals in India and Europe. The move is set to make European getaways more accessible and affordable.
Wizz Air, listed on the London Stock Exchange, already operates a broad network with 210 Airbus A320 and A321 planes. The addition of 48 A321XLR aircraft will further enhance its service range, capable of flying non-stop for up to eight hours.
CEO József Váradi stated that the company aims to initially connect about six or seven major European cities with India, offering fares as low as 100 euros. This strategy could significantly lower travel costs compared to the current high-priced direct flights.
Furthermore, Wizz Air also plans to introduce flights between India and Abu Dhabi, expanding its international reach. The airline is actively working with regulators to ensure a smooth start to these services.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
