Wizz Air Named Sustainable Airline of the Year 2025 at the Airline Economics Sustainability Awards
Wizz Air, one of Europe’s fastest-growing and most environmentally conscious low-cost carriers, has been named Sustainable Airline of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Airline Economics Sustainability Awards Gala. The recognition underscores the airline’s relentless commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, enhancing operational efficiency, and leading the industry toward a more sustainable future.
The Airline Economics Sustainability Awards have become one of the most respected recognitions in the aviation sector. Organized annually, the awards celebrate airlines, lessors, manufacturers, and key stakeholders across the aviation value chain who demonstrate outstanding achievements in the areas of environmental stewardship, innovation, and corporate responsibility. Winners are chosen based on measurable progress made during the 12-month period ending in August 2025. The selection process combines industry-wide survey responses with verified sustainability and emissions data, collected and analyzed by Estuaire, a respected provider of independent carbon assessment data, in collaboration with Airline Economics Plus and the editorial teams of Airline Economics.
Why Wizz Air Stood Out
The judging panel emphasized several key areas where Wizz Air distinguished itself from competitors:
- Carbon Reduction Progress: The airline has achieved tangible and measurable improvements in reducing its emissions intensity year-on-year, reinforcing its position as one of the most efficient carriers in Europe.
- Transparent Reporting: Wizz Air has consistently provided accurate and accessible sustainability data, ensuring that stakeholders, investors, and passengers can track the airline’s progress with clarity.
- Fleet Renewal and Innovation: The carrier has heavily invested in one of the world’s youngest and most efficient fleets, anchored by the Airbus A321neo, which delivers significant fuel and emissions savings compared to older-generation aircraft.
- Ambitious Net Zero Roadmap: In April 2025, Wizz Air publicly released its roadmap to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, a plan that combines technology adoption, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) integration, and airspace efficiency.
Victoria Tozer-Pennington, Editor and Co-Founder of Airline Economics, commended Wizz Air for leading by example at a time when sustainability is no longer optional but essential for the aviation industry’s long-term future.
“The Sustainability Awards are a testament to the aviation industry’s growing commitment to decarbonisation,” she said. “We are proud to spotlight the companies and individuals who are not only setting ambitious goals but also delivering real results. Wizz Air’s progress shows that large-scale change is possible when vision and execution align.”
Wizz Air’s Perspective
Accepting the award on behalf of the airline, Dorottya Durucsko, Head of Government Affairs and Sustainability at Wizz Air, emphasized that the recognition reflects the dedication of the entire Wizz Air team.
“We are honored to receive the award of Sustainable Airline of the Year 2025. This award is a testament to the dedication of our colleagues and the progress we are making on our journey to Net Zero,” she stated. “We will continue investing in new aircraft technology, partnering to scale the production of sustainable aviation fuel, and advocating for airspace reform. Recognition from Airline Economics and Estuaire strengthens our belief that we are on the right path of building a stronger and greener aviation ecosystem. Let’s WIZZ!”
Her comments reflect Wizz Air’s proactive approach: sustainability is not treated as a box-ticking exercise, but as a core pillar of its long-term business strategy.
Key Sustainability Achievements in 2025
During the financial year 2025, Wizz Air achieved a record-low emissions intensity of 52.2 grams of CO₂ per passenger per kilometer, maintaining its position among the most efficient airlines worldwide. This milestone was possible thanks to a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, and strict environmental performance monitoring.
Wizz Air currently operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with more than 70% of its aircraft comprised of ultra-efficient Airbus A321neo models. The fleet has an average age of just 4.5 years, making it significantly newer than the global airline industry average. These aircraft feature cutting-edge technology such as:
- Advanced aerodynamics, reducing drag and fuel consumption.
- More efficient Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, delivering lower fuel burn.
- Lightweight cabin configurations that further contribute to emissions reductions.
These efforts are part of Wizz Air’s broader three-pillar sustainability strategy:
- Flights – Delivering 30% of emissions reductions through new aircraft technology, continuous fleet renewal, and improved operational practices.
- Fuel – Targeting a 53% reduction in emissions by integrating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its operations, with the ambition to power 10% of all flights with SAF by 2030.
- Footprint – Achieving a further 4% reduction by advocating for air traffic management (ATM) modernization, which can reduce inefficiencies and shorten flight paths, thereby saving fuel and lowering emissions.
This structured approach illustrates how Wizz Air is not only setting long-term aspirational targets but also breaking them down into achievable, science-based pathways.
A Broader Industry Context
The aviation sector as a whole faces significant challenges as it works to decarbonize while continuing to serve the mobility needs of a growing global population. Air transport contributes approximately 2-3% of global CO₂ emissions, and while that percentage may seem modest, the sector’s emissions are among the most difficult to abate due to the reliance on fossil-based jet fuel.
Against this backdrop, Wizz Air’s recognition as Sustainable Airline of the Year is especially meaningful. The award demonstrates that low-cost carriers can lead the sustainability agenda, challenging the perception that environmental performance and affordability are mutually exclusive.
By focusing on fleet modernization, SAF adoption, and efficiency improvements, Wizz Air has shown that significant progress is possible even in a cost-sensitive business model. Its success also highlights the importance of partnerships across the aviation ecosystem—including aircraft manufacturers, fuel producers, regulators, and governments—in scaling new technologies and practices.
Wizz Air’s long-term vision is guided by its Net Zero 2050 roadmap, which outlines not only its carbon reduction goals but also its approach to broader environmental and social responsibility. The airline continues to explore collaborations with SAF producers, invest in emerging technologies such as hydrogen and electric propulsion, and advocate for policy changes that can accelerate the sector’s transition to sustainable growth.
The recognition from Airline Economics and Estuaire will likely serve as a catalyst for further innovation and investment, both within Wizz Air and across the wider industry. As regulators tighten climate requirements and passengers increasingly demand greener travel options, Wizz Air’s leadership in sustainability positions it strongly for long-term success.
The Sustainable Airline of the Year 2025 award is more than just a trophy for Wizz Air—it represents a validation of its strategy, its achievements, and its aspirations. By combining one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in the world with transparent reporting, ambitious emissions targets, and a clear roadmap to Net Zero, Wizz Air is demonstrating what it means to balance growth with responsibility.
As the global aviation industry faces one of the greatest challenges in its history—achieving decarbonisation while maintaining connectivity—Wizz Air’s example offers a blueprint for how determination, investment, and innovation can deliver real results. With this recognition, Wizz Air has reinforced its role not only as a leader in the low-cost market but also as a pioneer of sustainable aviation.