Wizz Air shutting down Abu Dhabi unit

NEWS FLASH


Wizz Air will close its Abu Dhabi base from September 1 after almost five years of operations. As previously reported, this will result in the termination of its Belgrade and Sarajevo flights on July 19 and August 31 respectively. This decision stems from sustained operational challenges in the Middle East, including engine performance in hot climates, airspace disruptions and restrictive regulatory conditions. The airline’s priority is to strengthen its position in Central, Eastern and select Western European markets. Cabin crew working for Wizz Air in Abu Dhabi will be offered the possibility to relocate to Europe.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi held a 25% share of the point-to-point market in Abu Dhabi and had strong loads on both its Belgrade and Sarajevo service. As EX-YU Aviation News learns, Belgrade Airport is in discussions with two carriers to take over the Abu Dhabi service, while Sarajevo Airport considers the Emirati capital as a destination of strategic importance and is seeking an alternative. In Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia could potentially replace Wizz Air on some of its routes.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi network, July 2025

Comments

  1. Anonymous13:34

    When it rains it pours

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous13:34

    Where are the people who were arguing they are cutting BEG and SJJ because of demand. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:42

      It was always a crazy take, tour agencies alone forced an increase in operations, people really underestimate both the appeal of UAE and the transfer potential. It was even used for Central Asian layovers

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:13

      JU could definitely jump in. Demand is big.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous13:43

    The reality is that they failed, it's better for them not to experiment anymore and be a true llc within Europe. And try to be the first ones in Ukraine when it reopens. Any A321XLR flights to long haul destinations will make them fail

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:12

      +100
      What W6 mostly needs is a change of management.
      Both strategic decisions and route management need to greatly be improved.
      What are they going to do with the XLRs now?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:11

      Well, they weren't failing for 5 years, only after Israel-Iran conflict they decided it's not worth it.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:30

      Sure lol

      Delete
    4. Anonymous18:43

      Amuses to me no end seeing comments ridiculing Wizz Air's management here..

      Delete
  4. Anonymous13:46

    My guess Etihad to BEG and Air Arabia to SJJ. There won't be cheap BEG-MLE flights now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:20

      They had already cut MLE

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:26

      Not gonna happen.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous14:08

    So I guess all these A321 now are heading to SKP :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:12

      Of course not. They're ordering A380 for SKP

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:25

      ok ok, stop with nonsense. we never wrote we want a380. we wrote a350 or b787 to JFK. Stop hate towards SKP.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous14:30

    " and restrictive regulatory conditions." - I thought only western Europe struggles with bureaoucracy..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous14:35

    Considering the conflict potential this area has and will still have in the near future, it is the right decision for a LCC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:47

      This is just another Wizz Air fiasco, nothing new. As if those conditions did not exist when they entered the market.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous15:17

    How many planes they have in AUH base?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:27

      12

      Delete
    2. Mihael15:34

      8 A321ceo and 4 A321neo

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:13

      JU needs 2-3 A321 ceo. I think they are listing them out. Those birds should not be more than 10 years old

      Delete
    4. Anonymous17:30

      Why on earth would they list them out

      Delete
    5. Anonymous19:30

      Because their plan is to utilise only A321neos. PW problems are slowing them down, but their plan is to phase out all A320 and A321 ceo

      Delete
  9. Anonymous16:31

    Wizzair failed to be wizzier than common sense.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous16:45

    How will all those Balkan influencers fly for no money to MLE!!! OMG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:25

      😂😂

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:21

      From BUD, of course. Like most influencers on a budget.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous16:53

    The fact that they are starting TelAviv flights on 8th of August but stopping AbuDhabi flights tells me that this is not because of the geo politics :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:57

      Those TLV flights will probably be operated by the freed up 321s from AUH :D

      Delete
  12. Anonymous18:22

    Wizz Air is in trouble. They are also cutting flights in Europe. For example their just cut flights from Leipzig to Bucharest, Tirana and Varna.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:35

      They always do that. Doesn't mean much

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:00

      LCCs just open and close routes according to subsidies, opportunities and local market "spot" needs.
      They do not have long term comitments as there is no hub logic but quantity of independant routes.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous18:53

    It was a vary bad idea to start with.

    ReplyDelete

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