Wizz Air Announces Its First Russian Base In Saint Petersburg 1 Aircraft And 5 New Routes To 5 Count

Wizz Air, the leading low-cost carrier in Central and Eastern Europe and Europe's greenest airline* announced today its 1 Russian base in Saint Petersburg, which represents the 32 base in the airline network. From September 2020, 1 Airbus A320 aircraft will be based at Pulkovo Airport. Along with the establishment of the new base, Wizz Air announced 5 new services to 5 countries from Saint Petersburg starting from 18 September 2020. Tickets for all new routes can already be booked on wizzair.com or on the airline's app from as low as EUR 24.99**.

Wizz Air is dedicated to developing its network and offer great opportunities to its passengers through affordable travel. First Wizz Air flight took off from Saint Petersburg in 2017 and to date WIZZ has carried over 250,000 passengers on its Saint Petersburg routes. With the experience of providing low fare and high quality services in the past years in Russia, the airline is confident that with the establishment of its first Russian base in Saint Petersburg, it will bring even more exciting opportunities for affordable travel, as well as continues to further stimulate Russia's tourism and hospitality industries. The Airbus A320 aircraft will support the operations of 5 new routes to: Salzburg (Austria), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Stockholm Skavsta (Sweden) and Malta.

Wizz Air is an investment grade credit rated airline, with a fleet of an average age of 5.4 years comprising of the currently available most efficient and sustainable Airbus A320 and Airbus A320neo family single aisle aircraft. Wizz Air's carbon-dioxide emissions were the lowest among European airlines in FY2019 (57.2 gr/km/passenger). Wizz Air has the largest order book of 267 aircraft of the state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo family which will enable the airline to further reduce its environmental footprint by 30% for every passenger until 2030.

Today's announcement comes as the new era of sanitized travel begins at Wizz Air. The airline recently announced a range of enhanced hygiene measures, to ensure the health and safety of its customers and crew. As part of these new protocols, throughout the flight, both cabin crew and passengers are required to wear facemasks, with cabin crew also required to wear gloves. Wizz Air's aircraft are regularly put through an industry-leading fogging process with an antiviral solution and, following WIZZ's stringent daily cleaning schedule, all of the airline's aircraft are further disinfected overnight with the same antiviral solution. Sanitising wipes are handed to each passenger upon entering the aircraft, onboard magazines have been removed from the aircraft, and any onboard purchases are encouraged to be made by contactless payment. Passengers are requested to follow physical distancing measures introduced by the local health authorities and are encouraged to make all purchases prior to the flight online (e.g. checked in luggage, WIZZ Priority, fast security track), to minimize any possible physical contact at the airport. Click here to view Wizz Air's new health and safety video, for more information.

By adding WIZZ Flex to a booking, passengers can rest assured that if circumstances change, or they simply wish to travel on a different date, or to a different destination, they can rebook on any WIZZ flight of their choice. Providing that extra layer of protection for passenger bookings, is a peace of mind during these uncertain times.

Wizz Air will start recruiting young and ambitious candidates for its new base. Cabin crew recruitment days are displayed here.

Speaking at the press conference today,József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air Group said: "Today's announcement underlines Wizz Air's commitment to create more and more low-fare travel opportunities for Russian travelers. Memorable moment of announcing Wizz Air's base at Pulkovo Airport, and allocating a state-of-the-art modern aircraft, emphasizes the importance of the Russian market for our operations. Wizz Air has a long-term strategic interest in the Russian market and we are looking forward to welcoming passengers on board our young and reliable fleet. By adding five new routes in Saint Petersburg and keeping ourselves to the highest standards of our sanitizing protocols, we are confident that Wizz Air's ultra-low fares will make travel affordable to ever more passengers."

Leonid Sergeev, CEO of Pulkovo Airport operator Northern Capital Gateway LLC, commented:"We are delighted that Wizz Air strengthens its positions in St. Petersburg. Today, Pulkovo is the first airport in Russia, which offers foreign airlines unique market conditions. The complex of unprecedented measures includes the seventh freedom traffic rights regime, flexible tariff management and free e-visas for the tourists from 53 countries to visit St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Wizz Air's operational base at Pulkovo will create new opportunities for expansion of the carrier's route network and increase the number of direct services between St. Petersburg and European cities. Pulkovo is fully ready to serve international flights. I am confident that as soon as the situation in the world stabilizes, the development of Wizz Air in St. Petersburg and the long-awaited launch of the new routes will stimulate tourist, business and cultural relationships between Russia and foreign countries. Without a doubt, Wizz Air's new flights will be in high demand both among Russian and foreign travelers."

WIZZ AIR'S NEWEST ROUTES FROM SAINT PETERSBURG

* Wizz Air's carbon-dioxide emissions were the lowest among European airlines in FY2019 (57.2 gr/km/passenger)

** One-way price, including administration fee. One carry-on bag (max: 40x30x20cm) is included. Trolley bag and each piece of checked-in baggage is subject to additional fees. The price applies only to bookings made on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app. Number of seats at indicated prices are limited.