Wizz Air aims to shake up Abu Dhabi with new discount carrier

Abu Dhabi: Airline competition is hotting up in Abu Dhabi, with European discount specialist Wizz Air Holdings Plc planning a new carrier in the Mideast sheikdom to take on one to be operated by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia.

Wizz has reached an outline deal on the venture with Abu Dhabi Development Holding Co., the firms said in a statement Thursday. The airline, which will be 51% Abu Dhabi owned, will start flying in the second half of next year with a fleet of three new Airbus SE A321neos, increasing to 50 planes over 10 years.

While the startup will initially serve cities in Europe and Russia, it later plans to target the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.