Central European budget carrier Wizz Air is formally seeking a UK air operator's certificate and operating licence.

It intends to place "several" aircraft on the UK register, the airline states, and will begin associated operations in March next year.

Wizz Air had confirmed to FlightGlobal on 4 October that it was establishing a UK division, as it prepared for the potential impact of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union in 2019.

It says that this division, Wizz Air UK, will encompass its London Luton base and, as such, employ over 100 personnel – including pilots and cabin crew – by the end of next year.

Book a Flight

Wizz Air's Hungarian operation will continue to fly routes which are not transferred to the UK arm.

"It is a natural next step in the development of our UK business and will bring additional investment and jobs to our UK base at London Luton," says Wizz chief executive Jozsef Varadi.

"This move is also part of our broader strategy to ensure that our UK operations are [post-EU membership] ready."

Wizz uses a fleet of Airbus A320-family jets and operates from nine airports in the UK, covering a total of more than 40 destinations.