Wizz Air has put the brakes on plans to increase capacity to 80% in the next quarter amid heightened travel restrictions across Europe. However, the Hungarian carrier’s UK subsidiary has signaled its intention to expand from Doncaster Sheffield, just weeks after announcing a new base at the airport.
Wizz Air UK’s new base at London Gatwick is a “statement of intent” but further expansion is being hindered by the ongoing suspension of the 80-20 rule for airport slots, the airline’s MD Owain Jones has told Routes.
British low-cost airline, Jet2 has announced a total of twelve new routes from Edinburgh Airport next summer, bringing the total of routes operated by the airline to 26.
The new route, flown using an Airbus A330-300, will be operate within the carrier’s joint business on transatlantic traffic with fellow oneworld alliance partners British Airways, Iberia, American Airlines and American’s merger partner US Airways. Chicago is a hub for US major American Airlines and will allow travellers codeshare connections to destinations throughout the United States.
This is the first start-up aid scheme that the European Commission has assessed under its new guidelines on state aid to airports and airlines which came into force on April 4, 2014. The guidelines have simplified the rules on public support granted by Member States for the start-up of new air transport routes.
