By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) – The U.S. Transportation Department on Thursday granted tentative approval for budget carrier Wizz Air to operate flights between the UK and the U.S., saying it was in the public interest.
In January, the UK subsidiary of Wizz Air Holdings petitioned for a foreign air carrier permit to operate flights between the two countries “as soon as possible.” USDOT said it was granting tentative approval but will give any opponents 21 days to file objections which it will consider before making a final decision.
Wizz Air UK is seeking the permission to launch passenger services under the 2020 Air Transport Agreement between the two countries, known as the Open Skies Agreement. If granted final authorization, it will be effective for two years from the date of approval.
This is the second attempt by the carrier to enter the U.S. markets, after its Hungary operations applied for a foreign air carrier permit to operate all-cargo flights to the U.S. in 2022.
As global tourism spending rises, Wizz’s low‑cost model is well-placed to benefit from Europeans’ growing interest in U.S. cities such as Nashville and Boise.
The trend follows immigration crackdowns and rising trade tensions under the Trump administration which have slowed travel to traditional tourism hotspots in the world’s largest travel economy.
Businesses are also banking on the upcoming soccer World Cup to boost travel to the U.S.
Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi told Reuters this week the airline expects to limit a financial hit from the Iran conflict to its fiscal year ending this month, told Reuters, with the
pressure set to ease from April after a profit warning slammed the budget airline’s shares.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio)
