Wizz Air Claims CAPA Most Sustainable Airline Award

Early in 2022, low-cost carrier Wizz Air was named Europe’s most sustainable airline by independent ESG analyst Sustainalytics. Now, the Hungarian budget airline has also claimed the award for Global Environmental Sustainability Airline Group of the Year at the inaugural CAPA Asia Aviation Summit and Sustainability Expo, which took place in Singapore last week.

The key to Wizz Air’s (comparatively) low CO2 emissions lies in its young fleet. Averaging 4.6 years of age and growing younger with every Airbus A320neo family delivery, it is the main factor in Wizz snagging the top spot for lowest CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer in Europe. And much as a result of the close to 300 neo jets still on order, the carrier will lower this figure by another 25% by the end of the decade.

Photo: Wizz Air

“Laser focussed” on technology and innovations available now

The airline’s CEO, József Váradi, commented on the recognition of Wizz’s sustainability work,

“We are truly honoured to receive this prestigious recognition by CAPA, naming Wizz Air as the most environmentally sustainable airline not only in Europe but also globally. When it comes to decarbonizing aviation, Wizz Air is laser-focused on the technology and innovations available here and now. We are confident that by investing in the most modern aircraft and engines we will be able to continuously reduce passengers’ carbon footprint and deliver the targeted CO2 intensity decrease by 2030 and beyond. We stay committed to making Wizz Air the most environmentally efficient choice of air travel.”

The CAPA Environmental Sustainability Awards for Excellence are independently researched by CAPA’s Analysts and carbon reduction strategists, Envest Global.

Photo: Wizz Air 

The marathon ahead

Meanwhile, speaking in an exclusive interview with Simple Flying a little while back, Wizz’s President, Robert Carey, stated that the airline is not about to rest on its laurels when it comes to emissions reduction. Like Váradi, he said that Wizz would keep investing in the best technology out there, which, for now, is the A321neo. However, the airline is also working with Airbus on hydrogen propulsion aircraft. The analogy Carey uses when it comes to lowering emissions across the aviation industry is that of running a race.

“It’s one thing to say I want to go run a marathon, and I’m going to build this great training plan to get there. The next day, the key to running that marathon, though, is getting out of bed and going to start running. You can have all the intentions in the world and the greatest roadmap for 2050. But step one is – what can we do now? What’s really important is not saying what the goal is by 2050. I think we all know where we want to get to. It’s how we can all take meaningful steps now.”

Do you believe CO2 per passenger kilometer is the most important marker in airline sustainability? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.