Ultra-low-cost carrier Wizz Air has been awarded the Best Airline for Carbon Reduction at the inaugural Carbon Awards hosted by World Finance.
The Carbon Awards will now take place annually and will recognise companies and organisations who demonstrate a measurable impact and innovative solutions in combating climate change.
Wizz Air is playing a leading role in decarbonisation of the airline industry from its initiatives with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to having one of the youngest fleets of aircraft in the sky made up mainly of efficient Airbus A321neo which can reduce fuel burn by around 20% compared to older aircraft.
Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air Corporate & ESG Officer, said: “We are honoured to receive the inaugural Carbon Award 2024 for Best Airline for Carbon Reduction, in addition to the World Finance Award for Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline, which we received in June. Our people are at the heart of our sustainability journey. We are incredibly proud of our dedicated team whose commitment drives our innovative efforts in reducing emissions and raising awareness among our passengers.
This recognition from World Finance underlines our relentless focus on decarbonising aviation through strategic investment and partnerships. A multidimensional approach is necessary from the industry, which is the fastest and safest mode of transport, but this needs to include advancements in technology and regulatory support to fast track a green transition while maintaining a competitive and fair playing field for all industry players.“
Monika Wojcik, Head of Special Projects in World Finance, added: “This year, we have witnessed remarkable technological advancements in the field of carbon emissions reduction, and we are proud to support these efforts by launching the Carbon Awards. By selecting Wizz Air as the best company for carbon reduction in the low-cost airline industry, the judges recognized its exceptional efforts to minimize carbon intensity.
We particularly commended Wizz Air’s innovative fuel-saving measures, such as single-engine taxiing after landing, the use of ground power units instead of auxiliary power units whenever possible, and the adoption of fully electric ground handling operations at select airports. These initiatives have contributed to reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 80–85% per aircraft compared to traditional diesel-powered equipment.”
Although based in Hungary, Wizz Air operates a UK airline subsidiary, Wizz Air UK which is headquartered at London Luton Airport (LTN/EGGW) and also has a base at London Gatwick (LGW/EGKK)
I’d often wondered why Wizz have so many canceled flights. Doesn’t take off… Zero emissions. Problem solved!