Wizz Air is to suspend its operations in Abu Dhabi as part of a ¡°strategic realignment¡±, which will see it refocus on key markets in Europe.

The Hungary-based budget carrier said that its locally based flights at Abu Dhabi would be suspended from 1 September. The decision comes after a ¡°comprehensive reassessment of market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East¡±.

Wizz Air said it would now focus on its services in the central and eastern Europe region, as well as ¡°select¡± western European markets including Austria, Italy and the UK.

¡°This strategic realignment to core markets will enable the company to redeploy resources to regions with greater long-term potential for sustainable growth and profitability,¡± said the company in a statement to investors.

Wizz Air, which set up a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi in 2020, blamed engine reliability ¡°constraints¡± and repeated airspace closures due to ¡°geopolitical volatility¡± for the decision to suspend operations in the Middle East. Regulatory ¡°barriers¡± in the region had also proved a problem for the airline.

J¨®zsef V¨¢radi, CEO of Wizz Air, added:?"We have had a tremendous journey in the Middle East and are proud of what we have built. However, the operating environment has changed significantly.

¡°Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances.

¡°We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air's customer proposition and build shareholder value."

Wizz Air operates a fleet of 237 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft and carried 63.4 million passengers in its last financial year. Earlier this year, the airline announced a ?12 billion ¡°transformation¡± plan?focused on customer service.