Wizz Air Publishes Net Zero Manifesto

Airline Group, Wizz Air, which is headquartered in Budapest, has unveiled its environmental roadmap and is aiming to be Net Zero by 2050. 

The Flying Towards Net Zero roadmap is hoped will be a call to action for the entire aviation industry. 

In it, Wizz Air states that it is going to focus upon the three f’s. These are flights - with a planned 30% emissions reductions from new aircraft technology and fleet renewal, fuel, for which the company is hoping for a 53% reduction in emissions by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and footprint. The latter is hoped will see a 4% emissions reductions by using technology to modernise the company’s air traffic management. 

The aviation company also details that it is aiming for a 21% decarbonisation “through technological advancements in aircraft and engine technology” and 4% decarbonisation” through air traffic reform”. 

In a statement, the company explains: “This manifesto for change comes at a critical juncture for the aviation industry, as efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 are sliding off course, and the competitiveness of European aviation faces headwinds due to rising costs from regulatory compliance.”

It adds that climate change poses a risk to both business and finances so addressing the problems “…is not just an environmental imperative for the Company, but also a strategic necessity for long-term sustainability, competitiveness and resilience for the European aviation sector.”

Wizz Air claims to have the lowest emissions intensity per passenger kilometre of any airline globally. However, last year, a report from Transport Environment suggested that Wizz Air was the 8th most polluting airline in the world. Europe’s most polluting airline, it stated, was Ryanair. 

The manifesto comes at a time when companies – notably in the US – have rolled back on their environmental goals. In July last year, Air New Zealand abandoned a 2030 goal to cut its carbon emissions. According to EuroNews, United Airlines, the German carrier Lufthansa, Britain’s easyJet, LATAM Airlines Chile and Japan Airlines have all “removed” their commitment to near-term emissions goals. 

Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air Corporate & ESG Officer, however, remains confident change is possible but admits it is going to be hard fought for. She shares: “…the truth is that the current pace of change is not enough, and without radical intervention, aviation will fail to meet its commitments.

“Achieving a net zero roadmap is fraught with uncertainties. The most significant challenges extend beyond scientific issues and encompass policy decisions, investment strategies, market dynamics, and the timely implementation of essential measures. Scientific advancements also encounter obstacles related to cost, infrastructure, and regulatory approval.”

She adds that in order for a transition to happen, governments, regulators, and the fuel industry will all need to be on board. As she argues: “Aviation needs a policy and investment revolution to shape the industry’s path.”