Wizz Air opens new pilot training center at Rome Fiumicino airport

Wizz Air, recognized as the most sustainable airline globally*, officially opened its new pilot training center at Rome Fiumicino Airport., marking an investment of more than 38 million euros. This state-of-the-art center, the company's second and first outside Hungary, will provide recurrent training to more than 4,800 pilots annually, reinforcing Wizz Air's commitment to safety, innovation and sustainable development in aviation.

The opening ceremony, held on October 1, 2024, was attended by József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air, Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, and James Cahill, CAE vice president for commercial aviation in EMEA.

New pilot training center: a step forward for Wizz Air and Italy

József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air, said, "This new training center in Rome demonstrates our commitment to the future of aviation and to our employees. Pilots are the heart of our operations, and this facility will ensure that they receive the most advanced and rigorous training available. Italy is a key market for us, with five operating bases, more than 1,000 crew members and more than 20 efficient and sustainable aircraft. This new investment strengthens our long-term presence in the region."

The structure: state-of-the-art and sustainable

Located near Terminal 1 at Rome Fiumicino Airport, the training center occupies an area of more than 2,500 square meters, with briefing rooms, theoretical training spaces and a simulator room. Two state-of-the-art Airbus A320 full flight simulators are already operational, while a third will be installed in 2025. These simulators, equipped with high-fidelity visuals and an immersive cockpit, will provide realistic, state-of-the-art training for thousands of pilots each year.

Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, commented, "This hi-tech training center demonstrates the attractiveness of Rome Fiumicino Airport as a base for long-term development in the aviation market. The project, which we hope will create new job opportunities, fits perfectly into our strategic vision, whereinnovation and human capital development are central to sustainable development."

Troncone also emphasized the close collaboration with Wizz Air, highlighting the importance of Rome Fiumicino as an airport hub of excellence, confirmed by the Skytrax 5 Star award and recognition as the best European hub since 2018 according to ACI Europe.

A strategic investment for the future of aviation

This new training center follows the success of the Budapest facility, which provided more than 98,000 hours of training in six years. With this investment in Rome, Wizz Air continues to consolidate its leadership in European aviation with a strong focus oninnovation, continuous training and the growth of its staff.

* CAPA - Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2022-2023.