Wizzair Hungary receives first EASA-AOC
On August 1, 2020, the low-cost airline Wizzair Hungary was the first airline in Europe to be granted an Air Operator Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency. In 2018, the option was introduced for airlines operating in several EU countries to apply for an EASA AOC. The legal basis is regulated in Regulation 2018/1139. The advantage for airlines is that in future the EASA will be responsible for safety oversight and certification across Europe. A few weeks ago it was announced that Lufthansa is also considering placing itself under EASA supervision in the future. “We are very happy to have such a young and dynamic airline as the first aircraft operator under EASA supervision. The EU operating certificate is well suited to airlines like Wizz Air, which have several operating bases in different EASA member states. As the centralised competent authority for Wizz Air's operations, EASA will ensure an internationally recognised high standard of oversight of the airline," said EASA CEO Patrick Ky. Wizzair states that it will continue to fly under the Hungarian flag and that the Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority will continue to exercise control over the Operating Licence (OL) and route authorisations. EASA oversight enables the airline to improve cooperation with national civil aviation authorities in its current and future markets. "I am pleased to announce that Hungary is the first Member State to renew the European air carrier regulations, while Wizz Air Hungary is the first airline to have its AOC overseen by EASA as the European competent authority. This groundbreaking regulatory model between the Hungarian and