Keynote Interview with Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air: Overcoming operational challenges to fuel future growth
At World Aviation Festival, Ben Thompson, Presenter, BBC interviewed Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air. The conversation looked at consumer demand, supply chain challenges, air traffic control (ATC) issues, resilience and adaptability, Middle East expansion, investment in employees, and sustainability.
Having discussed the challenges posed by ATC, geopolitical tensions, and grounded fleet, Varadi stressed the importance of adaptability. He explained:
“I think what you learn by managing the business is that one thing that really matters is your ability to adapt. I mean, everything is going to change around you. You know, the consumer may change, systems may change, the operating environment may change, the supply chain may change, but you still have to deliver your business. So you have to adapt your approach, your model, to stay relevant in the changing environment. And I think the science of managing this airline or managing this business is how do you uphold your principles on the one hand, that you know are the success factors of the business, but at the same time, you make yourself relevant to the changing environment.”
Sharing his perspective on the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) debate between David Neeleman and Willie Walsh, Varadi added:
“Strategically, SAF is not the solution. I think at best, SAF may be seen as a bridging mechanism between where the industry is today—totally carbonized—versus where the industry needs to be, I don’t know, in 20, 30, or 50 years from now—being totally decarbonized. But SAF is an uphill battle…”
Watch the full session now:
