LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) – Budget airline Wizz Air (WIZZ.L) said it planned to grow its capacity by 35% in the six months to the end of March as demand for travel remained strong despite the pressure on household budgets from inflation.
“So far we are seeing no indication of a drop in demand so we remain confident,” chief executive Jozsef Varadi said on Wednesday.
The planned 35% growth in capacity is compared to pre-pandemic levels, meaning Wizz will join larger low-cost rival Ryanair (RYA.I) as one of the few European airlines to exceed their pre-COVID size.
Hungary-based Wizz posted core earnings for its seasonally strong June-September quarter of 374 million euros ($369 million).
That represented a recovery from the previous period when staff shortages at airports dragged the airline to a loss. Overall the airline posted an operating loss of 63.8 million euros for the March to September half.
($1 = 1.0129 euros)
Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle
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