Wizz Air has announced that it carried a record number of passengers in 2017.

At the same time, the carrier expanded its operations significantly, placed its largest-ever aircraft order, launched a part-sponsored training scheme for aspiring pilots and introduced a number of enhancements to its customer experience.

In 2017 Wizz Air carried more than 28 million passengers on its low-fare routes, some 24 per cent more than in 2016.

Some 14 brand new aircraft joined Wizz Air’s fleet, including 13 Airbus A321 and one Airbus A320 aircraft, taking the size of its fleet to 88 aircraft. 

These new aircraft saw an additional 600 direct jobs created, with more than 3,500 aviation professionals now working for the airline based at 27 airports in 15 countries, including the two newest Wizz bases at London Luton in the United Kingdom and Varna in Bulgaria.

Wizz Air also continued to develop its route network, with an additional seven airports and more than 100 new services growing the network to almost 600 routes across 145 destinations in 43 countries.

In another important milestone this year, Wizz Air signed its largest aircraft order to date with Airbus for the purchase of a further 146 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft.

The new agreement, once approved by the Company’s shareholders, brings Wizz’s outstanding orders with Airbus to 282 aircraft, providing a committed delivery stream of aircraft until the end of 2026.

This will enable Wizz to continue to grow and renew its fleet, ensuring it remains one of the youngest and most efficient aircraft fleets in Europe.

In 2018, Wizz Air will have more than 9.7 million seats on sale, representing 11 per cent growth year on year, and operate 78 routes to 23 countries from 9 UK airports.

József Váradi, chief executive, Wizz Air, said: “Last year was a year of massive expansion for Wizz Air. 

“We delivered significant growth in all aspects of the business establishing Wizz as one of the fastest growing airlines and putting in place foundations for continued growth over the next decade.

“With our proven ultra-low-cost business model, highly skilled, customer-oriented crew, young and modern fleet and excellent value service we are well placed to be the airline of choice for savvy customers in all countries we operate and continue our consistent and rapid growth bringing even more opportunities to Europe and beyond.”