The budget airline has sought permission from the US Department of Transportation to operate from its headquarters in Hungary but said this was solely to begin a cargo operation.

Wizz Air has a single widebody cargo aircraft in its fleet, but it also has 47 Airbus A321XLR (extra-long range) passenger aircraft on order. These are narrow body aircraft capable of crossing the Atlantic and reaching east coast destinations.

US pilots’ unions have already objected to Wizz Air’s application because of the airline’s anti-union stance.

The airline told TTG: “Wizz Air confirms that is has filed a request for a Foreign Air Carrier Permit in the US for the A330 freighter aircraft owned by the Hungarian government and operated by the airline.

"Wizz Air currently operates one cargo aircraft and the purpose of this request is to enable any future commercial cargo operations to and from the United States."