Wizz Air is restarting flights to Russia

Wizz Air is restarting flights to Russia | Secret Flying

Wizz Air to resume flights to Moscow through Abu Dhabi venture.

 

As the war in Ukraine drags into its sixth month, Russia is still largely isolated from the Western world politically, culturally and economically.

 

International brands are still boycotting the country, while airlines and nations are imposing flight bans and sanctions.

 

However, one airline has announced it will recommence flights to Moscow, with tickets now on sale from October 3.

 

Wizz Air, through its Abu Dhabi joint venture, said it will restart flights to and from the Russian capital “to meet travel demand”.

 

The move risks reputational damage for the brand.

 

“Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is a national UAE carrier that operates in line with the UAE’s national regulations and policies,” a spokesman for the carrier said.

 

“The airline is resuming its operation to Moscow to meet travel demand for passengers wishing to fly to and from Russia from the UAE capital.”

 

Whether passengers will understand the difference between the airlines has yet to be seen.. Mark Borkowski, a crisis PR consultant, told CNN that it could go wrong for the airline.

 

“We now begin to see a number of brands beginning to check their resolve, and as events drag on the virtue-signalling will give way to commercial intent,” he said.

 

“I expect this decision will be viewed with great interest. It could be a disaster — however the bigger issue is fatigue. Certain commercial interests will prevail. Nevertheless it’s a risky move that could turn into a profound PR own goal.”

 

Wizz Air was one of the carriers worst hit in Europe by airspace bans across Ukraine following the start of the war, with around 7 per cent of its scheduled capacity for summer 2022 originally flying to and from Ukraine.

 

Other airlines in the UAE have continued services to Russia in the absence of local sanctions, with Dubai-based Emirates, the world’s largest long-haul airline, pledging to carry on flying there for as long as it is told to do so by its government owner.