SEATTLE: The case for Wizz Air’s joint venture in Abu Dhabi is stronger than ever following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the company’s CEO.
“The strategic rationale for Abu Dhabi has not changed; if anything it has become a better proposition,” CEO Jozsef Varadi said at the CAPALive online conference. “COVID has forced the industry to restructure and we may have opportunities we would not have had otherwise.”
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi government and Switzerland-headquartered Wizz Air Holdings, launched its inaugural flight to Athens in January and has since offered destinations in Egypt, Armenia, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Oman, Serbia and Ukraine.
While the airline’s expansion plans have been curtailed by travel restrictions, it has been using the time to sort out the company’s strategic fundamentals, said Varadi.
“When the market is ready we can scale up the business very quickly,” he said. “We have been incredibly quick and efficient in moving aircraft and staff. The recovery phase of the industry will be incredibly interesting.”
“I am very upbeat on Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi more relevant than ever after pandemic, says CEO
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Wizz Air Abu Dhabi more relevant than ever after pandemic, says CEO
- Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi government and Switzerland-headquartered Wizz Air Holdings, launched its inaugural flight to Athens in January
Saudi Arabia opens 3rd round of Exploration Empowerment Program
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, has opened applications for the third round of the Exploration Empowerment Program, part of ongoing efforts to accelerate mineral exploration in the Kingdom, reduce early-stage investment risks, and attract high-quality investment from local and international mining companies.
The third round of the Exploration Empowerment Program offers a comprehensive support package targeting exploration companies and mineral prospecting license holders.
The initiative aims to lower investment risks for projects and support a faster transition from prospecting to development.
"The program provides coverage of up to 70 percent of the total salaries of Saudi technical staff, such as geologists, during the first two years, increasing to 100 percent thereafter, in line with program requirements.
This support aims to develop talent, build national capabilities in mineral exploration, promote job localization, and facilitate the transfer of geological knowledge.
The application for the third round opened on Jan. 14, allowing participants to benefit from the Kingdom’s attractive investment environment, its stable legal framework, and streamlined regulatory structures, as well as integrated infrastructure that supports the transition from mineral resources to operational mines.
The ministry has set the timeline for the third round, with the application period running from Jan. 14 to March 31.
This will be followed by the evaluation, approval, and signing of agreements from April 1 to May 31, with the eligible projects set to be announced between June 1 and July 31 of the same year.
The program stages include submitting exploration data during the reimbursement and payment phase from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, followed by technical and financial verification of work programs and approval of the disbursement of support funds in January 2027.
The exploration data will then be published on the National Geological Database in April 2027.
The ministry emphasized that the EEP focuses on supporting the exploration of strategically important minerals with national priority. It also contributes to enhancing geological knowledge by providing up-to-date data that meets international standards, helping investors make informed decisions and supporting the growth of national companies and local supply chains.
The ministry urged companies to apply early to benefit from the program’s third round, which coincided with the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference, which was held from Jan. 13 to 15.
