‘Radical change, radical intervention’: Wizz Air demands net zero wakeup

Sustainability airline champion Wizz Air has called for “radical change and radical intervention” from governments and industry stakeholders to fire up “stalled” net zero ambitions. 

On March 22, 2025, against the backdrop of Earth Day, Wizz Air laid out its roadmap for achieving net zero by 2050 with a focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production heralded as the key-component for change.  

AeroTime was among media representatives in Budapest, Hungary, to hear the airline’s ‘Flying Towards Net Zero’ plans which aim to galvanize the industry that currently produces SAF that is too expensive and too sparce.  

“Everybody says that SAF is the most viable option, but the problem is, there’s not enough of it, and it’s too expensive, so that’s what’s slowing us. When the industry set the 2050 target they all assumed that SAF would already be well-produced by now and that when you have more of it the cost will come down in terms of economics, but that hasn’t happened yet,” Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air Corporate & ESG Officer told AeroTime. 

Wizz AirWizz Air said that “efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 are sliding off course” and European airlines are being hindered in their progress by rising costs from regulatory compliance. 

Flights, fuel and footprint

As the torch bearer for change and the EMEA’s most environmentally sustainable airline, Wizz Air set out its plan for the three F’s – flights, fuel and footprint. 

Under the roadmap, which relies heavily on the industrialization of technology, Wizz Air’s net zero ambition relies on five pillars: 

• 53% decarbonization through the increased use of SAF 

• 21% decarbonization through technological advancements in aircraft and engine technology. 

• 7% decarbonization through fleet renewal 

• 4% decarbonization through air traffic reform 

• 2% decarbonization through operational efficiencies 

The roadmap, which reflects the long-term climate goals set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), urges a reality check and for European governments to get serious about supporting airline’s efforts to put sustainability front and center. 

“We need action, not just ambition. That’s why we’re calling on governments, regulators, and the fuel industry to wake up to the reality of aviation’s transition and start delivering the changes that will make net zero possible. Aviation needs a policy and investment revolution to shape the industry’s path. Flights. Fuel. Footprint. This is our commitment. This is our journey. This is how we fly towards net zero,” said Moynihan. 

‘The current pace of change is not enough’

Part of Wizz Air’s plan is that it focuses on the technology of the here and now, so the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft does not feature.  

The airline has already invested heavily in a modern fleet of fuel-efficient Airbus A321neos and has the lowest emissions intensity per passenger kilometer of any airline globally, and a target to reduction emissions by 25% by 2030. 

However, it is SAF that the carrier believes can provide the fundamental changes that the industry needs and is calling on governments to ramp up SAF production by ensuring a long-term policy framework 

“If you look at Hungary, there’s no SAF being produced here. We have a partnership with the government where we’re trying to implement a national SAF strategy. It’s about bringing everyone in the industry and the energy sector together to say, what’s the feasibility for having a soft plant here in Hungary,” said Moynihan. 

Moynihan added: “Wizz Air supports an ambitious vision for net zero, but the truth is that the current pace of change is not enough, and without radical intervention, aviation will fail to meet its commitments.” 

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