Budget airline Wizz Air is planning to expand its operations in Italy in 2024, while also making Bucharest in Romania its largest airport base next year.
The Hungary-based carrier, which has experienced rapid expansion post-pandemic, has announced the launch of six new routes from Italy in its summer 2024 schedule. It will base three more Airbus A321neo aircraft at Rome Fiumicino and one additional aircraft at Milan Malpensa.
Wizz Air’s new routes from Italy will include flights from Rome to Berlin, Hamburg, Alicante, and Copenhagen, as well as from Milan to Paris Beauvais and Tenerife. Furthermore, the airline will increase frequencies on 17 existing routes from Italian airports in 2024 as part of its expansion.
This expansion will add 1.5 million seats per year to Wizz Air’s capacity in Italy, where it is currently the third largest airline.
Wizz Air also has significant plans for its base in Bucharest, Romania. The airline will add two A321neo aircraft for summer 2024, bringing its total fleet at the airport to 19. With this expansion, Wizz Air will introduce a new route from Bucharest to Leipzig, Germany and increase frequencies on 21 existing routes.
József Váradi, Wizz Air’s group CEO, stated, “This investment in our Romanian operation will transform Bucharest into Wizz Air’s largest operational base, demonstrating our commitment to the country by creating new jobs and stimulating the economy through affordable travel options.”
Wizz Air’s recent developments also include the addition of two new routes from Katowice, Poland to Aqaba, Jordan and Brussels Charleroi, both set to launch in December 2023.
The airline is also relocating its Scottish services from Edinburgh to Glasgow airport in November. Following the move, flights from Glasgow will operate twice per week to both Budapest and Bucharest.
Lastly, Wizz Air will increase the number of aircraft stationed at Tirana, Albania from 11 to 13 starting in June 2024. This expansion includes the introduction of two new routes to Leipzig and Valencia, as well as an increase in services on 15 existing routes from Tirana.
According to Eurocontrol, the European air traffic body, Wizz Air operated 875 daily flights in September, making it the seventh largest airline group in Europe. Additionally, the carrier is operating 32% more flights than it did during the same period in 2019.
