WIZZ AIR MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH TEN FEMALE-ONLY FLIGHTS ACROSS EUROPE | News

Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing airline, has marked International Women’s Day 2026 by operating a series of all-female flights in multiple markets. Seventy female pilots and cabin crew operated flights across the network on March 8 as part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to gender diversity and equal opportunities in aviation. This year’s edition marks the fifth all-female flight operated by Wizz Air since the initiative was introduced in 2022 as part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender diversity and equal opportunities in aviation.

Wizz Air’s flights operate in ten countries, including the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Romania, Germany, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Austria and Spain. Wizz Air’s flights were operated entirely by female flight deck and cabin crew, alongside female colleagues in ground operations, highlighting the important role women play in the airline’s operational functions.

The all-female flight from London Luton Airport to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport was operated by Captain Iren Cserto and First Officer Szabina Nyers in the cockpit and Patrícia, Veronika, Reka, Nadiah and Nikolett in the cabin crew.

Globally, women make up only 4.7% of all pilots, 3.1% of aircraft maintenance engineers and 21.1% of air traffic controllers[1]. By comparison, women represent 49% of entry-level positions within the broader workforce[2]and 35% in STEM fields worldwide[3].

Reflecting Wizz Air’s commitment to increasing gender diversity in the aviation industry, the airline has a leading proportion of women in all roles. As of March 2026, women made up 5.6% of the airline’s flight crew, reflecting steady growth over the past decade and making Wizz Air one of the leading airlines in the industry[4]. The airline remains committed to its long-term goal of achieving 7% female pilots by 2030. Female cabin crew already represent 68.5% of the airline’s workforce.

This progress is supported by specific programs designed to attract and develop female talent, such as the ‘She Can Fly’ pilot programme. The program is part of the Wizz Air Pilot Academy and is designed to increase the number of female commercial pilots entering the industry. In addition to this program, Wizz Air is also implementing the ‘Cabin Crew to Pilot’ initiative, which was launched in 2022, and the ‘Office to Pilot’ initiative, which was launched in 2025.

Marion Geoffroy, People Officer at Wizz Air, said: “International Women’s Day is an important time to recognize the achievements of women in our organization and to highlight the progress we are making towards a more diverse aviation industry. Our all-female flights, now in their fifth consecutive year, are a powerful symbol of what is possible when talent is given equal opportunities. At Wizz Air, we remain committed to opening doors for women – in the cockpit, in the cabin, in technical roles and in leadership. By 2026, the airline wants to increase the share of women in management to at least 40% – a milestone that is already within reach.”

Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, said: “I am proud that Wizz Air UK has the highest number of female pilots within the Wizz Air Group and their numbers continue to rise. Aviation has long faced a gender imbalance, and we are tackling this from the cockpit to the boardroom. We have doubled the representation of women in top management over the last twenty years, and our efforts extend beyond leadership to empower women at every level. As a female leader in aviation, it is important to lead with integrity, confidence and purpose, and to set a positive example for young aviation professionals considering a future in this sector.”

In addition to flight operations, Wizz Air also focuses on strengthening the representation of women in leadership and corporate roles. The share of women in top management (Chief Officers, Officers, Department Heads) has more than doubled over the past twenty years, from 16.67% in 2006 to 36.21% in 2026. At the same time, the share of women in other positions in the office has increased from 24.53% in 2006 to 41.18% in 2026.