Wizz Air has formed a strategic partnership with Routes with the view to expanding its network out of Abu Dhabi.
The budget carried has launched its first request for proposals via Routes’ Route Exchange platform to identify to look at additions to its initial network from the Gulf.
The airline currently flies to six destinations from Abu Dhabi, and has six aircraft at the base. It is now looking to enter ‘key growth markets’ across the Middle East, Africa, Central, and South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent and increase the size of its fleet.
Routes, part of Informa, will manage the RFP process for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the subsidiary of the Hungarian carrier first announced in December 2019 in partnership with holding company ADQ.
Kees Van Schaick, managing director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “The RFP process will play an important role in developing our network, our operations and presence in Abu Dhabi. By working with Routes, we will be able to establish new routes from key growth markets and expand our initial route network.”
Steven Small, director of Routes, said “We believe the key to industry’s recovery lies in strategic collaboration, creativity and innovation. We’re delighted that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi recognises the value of the Route Exchange platform to help it expand its initial network.”
Interested airports will need to respond to the first stage of the RFP, and successful applicants will then be asked to submit a formal response for evaluation to be reviewed by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.