'It's a win-win!' Budget airline rejects climate concerns to extend controversial 'all you can fly' scheme

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Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 10/11/2024

- 12:26

Updated: 10/11/2024

- 13:25

Wizz Air expects to reveal some good news in a matter of weeks

A budget airline has rejected climate change concerns to push ahead with extending its controversial "all you can fly" scheme.

Wizz Air's chief executive József Váradi plans to open up the airline's scheme to another 15,000 members in the coming weeks.


A similar number of passes were sold out within two days when the scheme first launched in August.

Váradi claimed there had been "huge demand", leading to calls for an expansion in the next few months.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air

PA

However, eco-campaigners argue that the scheme is "grotesque".

Despite the concerns, Váradi said: "We are working on an ‘all you can fly’ 2.0 and we should have some news within weeks.

“We are creating a real gain for the consumer that also benefits our business. It’s a win-win.”

Eco-zealots will likely express outrage at the looming expansion after warning the initial scheme pushed people to take more flights than necessary.

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Wizz Air plane

The airline is expected to make an announcement in the next few weeks

WIZZ AIR

Jo Dardenne, from campaign group Transport & Environment, warned Wizz's scheme proved airlines were not serious about net zero, labelling the scheme an "all-you-can-eat buffet".

The service costs just £411, with members incurring a flat £9.99 per flight additional fee.

Members have access to seats up to three days before departure.

Defending the scheme, Váradi said: “This is just propaganda.

"People want to travel. The real question is how do they do that with the lowest impact on the environment."

Wizz Air

The service costs just £411, with members incurring a flat £9.99 per flight additional fee

GETTY

He added: “You go to these COP meetings discussing carbon emissions and when you look around the airport you see hundreds of private jets.

"Whereas we just got recognised as having the lowest carbon footprint of any airline in Europe.”

Wizz Airline insists the best way to reduce its carbon footprint is to ensure that flights are as full as possible.

Váradi also stressed that members ranged from leisure travellers and business people to migrant workers.

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