Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the newest Emirati low-cost airline, will start its operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport in Fall 2020, offering low fares to a range of destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The agreement to launch the low-cost airline was finalised today between Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADDH) and Wizz Air Holdings, Europe’s fastest-growing and greenest airline, according to a press statement.

The announcement is a major milestone for UAE’s aviation sector and is in line with Ghadan 21, Abu Dhabi’s AED50 billion accelerator programme, which is driving the Emirate’s growth through investments.

The process for the Air Operator Certificate and Operating License has already commenced and the soon-to-commence recruitment drive for the airline will also create new job opportunities apart from boosting Abu Dhabi’s economy and adding to the growth of the tourism sector.

According to Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, CEO of ADDH, tourism is high priority in the Emirate’s growth strategy and significant investments are being made not only on the airports but also other tourist infrastructure (hotels, resorts, cultural attractions)

“Last year the emirate achieved a record high of 11.35 million visitors and a key driver for this is the connectivity that enables people to visit Abu Dhabi easily and affordably. Our partnerships with Wizz Air and others will help elevate the UAE’s capital as a highly competitive regional and international destination for leisure and business travellers alike,” he added.

Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air Holdings, said that the joint venture marks an important milestone and “underpins our long-term dedication to bringing an economically and operationally highly efficient as well as environmentally most sustainable airline business model to boost Abu Dhabi’s aviation development.”