Wizz Air applies for UK licence to ensure post-Brexit operations
Central and Eastern Europe-focused budget carrier Wizz Air has applied for an air operator's certificate and operating licence in the UK to make sure it can continue to operate in the country following Brexit.
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Once it has received the certificate and licence, the company’s UK subsidiary will begin operations in March 2018 with several UK-registered aircraft. The London Luton operating base of Wizz Air Hungary will become a Wizz Air UK operation and will see the group invest in local resources, employing more than 100 people by end of next year.
Routes not taken over by Wizz Air UK will continue to be operated by Wizz Air Hungary.
Chief executive officer József Váradi said: "We are pleased to announce that we are seeking a UK AOC and operating licence, further signalling our commitment to the important UK market. It is a natural, next-step in the development of our UK business and will bring additional investment and jobs to our UK base at London Luton.
“The UK remains the single biggest travel market in Europe and we are currently the UK's eighth largest operator and this move is also part of our broader strategy to ensure that our UK operations are Brexit-ready. We look forward to working with the Civil Aviation Authority to take this application forward."
At 1110 BST, the shares were up 1.9% to 3,303p.