June 8 (Reuters) – Wizz Air said on Monday that it would offer Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet across its fleet from next year, becoming the first European ultra-low-cost carrier to do so.
The airline did not disclose the terms of its deal with Starlink.
• Wizz Air’s announcement comes as Musk’s SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, is set to go public this week.
• Previously, budget rivals such as Ryanair and EasyJet have flagged that offering Starlink’s in-flight Wi-Fi comes with significant cost challenges.
• Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary estimated that using Starlink would cost Ryanair up to $250 million a year, including extra fuel.
• Meanwhile, Starlink, the largest satellite operator, has signed deals with several American carriers including American Airlines, Southwest, United and Alaska. It has also partnered with long-haul carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates.
• In May, Wizz Air said it expects to break even or achieve slightly positive full-year earnings for its 2026 financial year that ended March 31.
• Wizz Air reported 26% passenger growth in May and forecast strong revenue growth for the summer season as its relatively lower prices offset consumer uncertainty linked to the Iran war. It will report its full-year results on Thursday.
(Reporting by Simone Lobo in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)
