Wizz Air has made history by becoming Europe‘s first low-cost carrier to achieve Level II certification under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Security Management System (SeMS) program.
The certification, the highest attainable at the initial stage was awarded to Wizz Air Hungary and Wizz Air Malta, which operate much of the airline’s extensive European network.
This achievement places Wizz Air among the top airlines in Europe for its commitment to a proactive, risk-based approach to aviation security.
It is only the second airline in Europe to reach this level of certification. The next phase, covering Wizz Air UK, is expected to be completed in 2026.
Wizz Air Strengthens a Culture of Safety and Excellence
Developed by IATA, the SeMS program encourages airlines to move beyond compliance-based systems, focusing instead on identifying risks, managing them effectively and continuously improving security practices.
Wizz Air Chief Operations Officer Diarmuid O’Conghaile, said:
“Achieving SeMS certification marks a key milestone that underscores our commitment to operational excellence and a proactive safety culture. Our teams will continue building on this strong foundation to further strengthen security management across the Wizz Air network.”
The certification was praised by Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Products and Services.
Leger stated:
“SeMS is vital for transforming global aviation security from a compliance-based approach to one that proactively identifies and mitigates risks. Wizz Air stands among the leaders, not only as the first low-cost carrier to receive this certification but also for its commitment to maintaning the highest standards of aviation security.”
Operating a fleet of 249 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, Wizz Air continues to expand its operations while emphasizing safety and sustainability.
Do you think more airlines should adopt risk-based safety systems like SeMS? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Very insightful article! Really enjoyed reading through it!