The Hungary-based airline increased revenue by 16% to €1.43 billion for its financial year to the end of March, with passenger numbers rising by 21% to 20 million year-on-year and load factor improving by 1.5 percentage points to 88.2%.

The airline admitted that its figures had been boosted by Easter falling in March this year, compared to the holiday being held in April during 2015.

Wizz Air, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, added 69 routes during the financial year including three new destinations in its heartland of central and eastern Europe, plus 12 new airports in western Europe.

Chief executive Jozsef Varadi said the full-year results represented “another remarkable year” for Wizz thanks to a “strong operating performance across all key metrics”.

“We continue to build on our market leadership in central and eastern Europe and have a strong balance sheet and an attractive order book of existing and new technology aircraft to drive growth,” added Varadi.

“We will continue to expand our route network, drive efficiency in our operating model, and enhance our compelling customer proposition to sustain growth and drive returns for shareholders.”

As part of its continued expansion, Wizz is introducing flights from Gatwick for the first time with a new route to Bucharest due to launch in June. This move means the airline will operate from nine UK airports this summer.
 
Wizz has also announced that it will open three new operating bases this year in the Romanian cities of Iasi and Sibiu, as well as Kutaisi in Georgia.

The airline’s long-term growth will be fuelled by its order for 110 Airbus A321neo aircraft, which will start to be delivered from 2019.

The airline currently has a fleet of 67 aircraft – up by 12 from the 55 aircraft that Wizz operated this time last year.