Business 10 October 2025, 1:57pm

Wizz Air makes drastic decision – This is what will happen to the employees

Portfolio

Wizz Air will relocate nearly half of the 450 employees affected by the closure of its Abu Dhabi base to its Eastern European hubs, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

Depending on how the relocation process unfolds,

the discount airline intends to retain 150–200 employees, including pilots, flight attendants and office staff,

said Marion Geoffroy, the company's human resources director, at an aviation conference in Lisbon.

We are going relocate them to Hungary, Poland, or Romania,

added Geoffroy.

Employees who are not transferred cannot change jobs due to visa restrictions. Wizz Air is collaborating with airlines operating in the United Arab Emirates to assist with finding new positions. “Many people have already been offered jobs with local airlines. No one will be left unemployed,” added the HR manager.

Last month, Wizz Air suspended operations in Abu Dhabi in an attempt to cut costs, while grappling with engine problems, geopolitical challenges and regulatory constraints in the region. The airline is finding it difficult to manage rising costs while continuing to ground Airbus aircraft due to maintenance issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. However, Geoffroy says the situation is improving, and the company expects the forced shutdowns to end by 2027.

Wizz Air is now refocusing its attention on the Central and Eastern European market. The company has most recently opened a base in Bratislava, Slovakia.