Hungarian low cost carrier Wizz Air is setting up a new Malta-based subsidiary, named Wizz Air Malta, Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia announced on Tuesday.

This comes after extended discussion between the country’s Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) within Transport Malta, Wizz Air, and the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The airline now says it intends to file an application for its Maltese subsidiary to be granted an Air Operator’s Certificate AOC with the EASA and an Operating Licence with CAD.

Subject to approval, it expects Wizz Air Malta to begin operations in October 2022 with Malta-registered aircraft.

Wizz Air Chief Executive Officer, József Váradi commented on the achievement, saying: “The successful establishment of Wizz Air Malta later this year will help to reinforce our strong position and support our expansion plans in Europe.”

Charles Pace, Director General of the Civil Aviation Directorate Malta, added: "It is an honour to have Wizz Air as one of the airlines selecting Malta as one of their Principal Places of Business. The team effort and approach of CAD has once again been proven to be a winning formula.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CEO and Board of Wizz Air for their trust, and I look forward to working with EASA and Wizz Air in issuing the AOC and AOL."

Minister Farrugia added that the new airline would register a “substantial” amount of aircraft locally, further increasing its 9H fleet.

He also claimed that the new airline will have a “significant” impact on Malta’s economy and generate further jobs.

Wizz Air describes itself as the fastest growing low-cost airlines, operating a fleet of 153 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. 

In the financial year ending on 31st March 2020, as the pandemic had just hit, the airline carried some 40 million passengers. 

It currently connects Malta with six countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Serbia. 

Wizz Air Malta will not be the only Malta subsidiary of a European low-cost airline, as Ryanair also has a Malta-focused airline, named Malta Air.