Wizz Air finance head Hooghe steps down

Chief financial officer at Wizz Air Jourik Hooghe is to depart the budget carrier to “pursue other opportunities” outside the company.

He will leave his post at the end of the year as the airline fights its way back from a Covid-induced slump to be replaced by Ian Malin currently chief commercial officer at California-based aircraft parts supplier Unical Aviation.

Malin will join Wizz Air in October to head the financial operation and will be based in Budapest reporting to boss József Váradi.

Váradi said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to the company. He joins at an exciting time as Wizz Air drives long term growth based on a deep aircraft order book and ambitious expansion plans in Europe and the Middle East.”

Malin has held senior executive posts at KPMG, Allco Finance Group, Seabury, the AJW Group and Unical.

Váradi added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jourik for his contribution to the company over the past three years, probably the most challenging period for any airline CFO. I certainly wish him the very best for the future.”

Earlier this month the Hungarian carrier said it would cut the number of seats available for the peak summer traveling season in a reaction to squeezed airport capacity.

The Hungarian carrier announced a cut of 5% in “utilization” for the peak summer period, deepening cuts already announced in June.

Wizz Air reported an operating loss of €285 million (£242 million) for the first quarter of the year, due in part to the strength of the dollar against the euro.