March 6 (Reuters) – Wizz Air said on Friday it received permits to operate flights to the United States from the United Kingdom, opening doors for the budget carrier to offer charter flights, though it currently has no plans for regular commercial services.
The airline said it will provide charter flights for European football teams and fans attending the soccer World Cup, as well as tour operators arranging group trips to the U.S.
Despite a decline in interest in some traditional U.S. tourist spots, airlines on both sides of the Atlantic remain optimistic that visitor numbers will rebound this year, helped by the World Cup in North America, with matches in 10 U.S. states such as Missouri and Massachusetts.
Wizz’s shares were down over 3% at 1203 GMT on Friday, amidst a broader selloff in airline stocks, as carriers struggle to absorb the escalating U.S. and Israeli air war against Iran.
The airline had said the Middle East conflict would dent its fiscal 2026 net profit by about 50 million euros ($57.83 million).
The company’s UK unit had applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit in January.
($1 = 0.8646 euros)
(Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
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