Hungary’s ultra-low-cost carrier Wizz Air is poised to bolster its ever-growing network in the Middle East by launching 20 new routes to Saudi Arabia. On August 25, the carrier announced its major expansion in Saudi Arabia with the launch of 20 exciting routes from 11 European cities to Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Introducing a new era of extended travel opportunities between Europe and Saudi, Wizz Air is set to offer more than one million seats from Europe to 3 key cities of the Kingdom at fares starting from $54.89.
MOU with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Starting in December, Europe’s fastest-growing airline, Wizz Air, will commence point-to-point flights connecting European destinations including Bucharest, Budapest, Milan, Naples, Venice, Rome, and Vienna to 3 major Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh. The announcement of 20 new, affordable routes to Saudi follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) the carrier signed with the Ministry of Investment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support Vision 2030 and contribute to the nation’s planned tourism growth by opening a new and affordable gateway for the visitors.
Saudi’s Vision 2030 program is concerned with the development of the Saudi Tourism Sector and aims to triple the country’s tourist arrivals by the end of the decade. As a part of the country’s ambitious vision to lift arrivals to 100 million a year by 2030, Wizz’s network expansion program along will bring over one million additional visitors to the Kingdom next year.
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The new flights offered by Wizz Air into the Kingdom’s expanding network will enhance the budget carrier’s presence in the country as the flag carrier of low costs flying for the benefit of Saudi residents and, at the same time, strengthen Saudi’s global connectivity, allowing global travelers to explore the world’s most exciting country for aviation portraying an eclectic mix of travel opportunities with unmissable destinations, a plethora of amazing attractions, and a thriving cultural scene.
Adding value
The incredibly low fare flights linking major European cities to the Saudi capital and other major cities such as Jeddah and Dammam make it easier than ever for travelers to get to Saudi. The Hungarian discount airline doesn’t intend to target any of the Saudi carriers but seeks to add value to Saud’s aviation industry by offering increased travel options and competitiveness, which will expand consumer choice and drive down costs.
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Furthermore, Wizz Air is considering commencing an airline based in the Kingdom, which could allow a subsidiary or joint venture to run domestic flights in the country or operate international services in Saudi Arabia, opening new markets. The Hungarian budget carrier has already based an airline in UAE: Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, which operates as an ultra-low-fare national airline of the United Arab Emirates.
Flights from King Fahd International Airport, Dammam
For the 2023 summer season, Wizz Air has laid out new flight plans for Dammam. From King Fahd International Airport, the carrier will operate:
- Two weekly flights to Tirana (TIA) and Budapest (BUD) starting April 17 and April 20, respectively
- One weekly flight to Larnaca (LCA) starting July 4
Flights from King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
By December 2022, the European LCC Wizz Air will operate ten new routes to Riyadh, making it the carrier’s largest capacity destination in the country. From King Khalid International Airport, the airline will operate flights to
- Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), Budapest (BUD), and Vienna (VIE) on December 6, 9, and 13, respectively
- Budapest (OTP) on January 9, 2023
- Larnaca (LCA) on April 17, 2023
- Catania (CAT) and Naples (NAP) as of April 18, 2023
- Sofia (SOF) and Milan-Malpensa (MXP) as of April 20, 2023
Flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah
For the 2022/2023 northern winter season, Wizz Air will operate seven new routes to the third-largest and busiest airport in Saudi Arabia, i.e., King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The carrier will operate flights from Jeddah to Milan-Malpensa and Vienna from December 3 and 13, 2022, respectively. Flights to Bucharest and Budapest will commence on January 10, followed by Rome on January 11, 2023. The services to Venice and Larnaca will launch on April 18 and July 8 next year, respectively.
Europe’s fastest-growing airline: Wizz Air
Europe’s fastest-growing airline, Wizz Air, is moving full steam ahead and operating its services at 130% capacity compared with 2019 levels. Powered by its low-cost business model, the carrier has reaped the benefits of the strong summer season. It expects air-travel demand to remain intact despite all inflationary pressure on demand.
