Wizz Air resumes Belgrade and Tuzla base operations


Wizz Air is today reintroducing operations from its bases in Belgrade and Tuzla with its two aircraft stationed in both cities. Although Wizz resumed flights from London to Belgrade on May 18, the service is operated by its British registered aircraft and crew. The budget airline will this week commence services from Belgrade to Basel, Dortmund, Hanover, Baden Baden, Memmingen, Eindhoven, Gothenburg, Malmo and Skavsta, while flights to Larnaca, Malta and Beauvais are to launch in mid-June. From Tuzla, the airline will reinstate operations to its entire network this week, including Vienna, Billund, Basel, Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Hahn, Friedrichshafen, Baden Baden, Memingen, Eindhoven, Gothenburg, Malmo, Skavsta and Vaxjo. Last week, the carrier announced it would commence a new two weekly service from both Belgrade and Tuzla to Salzburg starting July 2.

As EX-YU Aviation News learns, Wizz Air will not be removing either of its two aircraft based in both Belgrade and Tuzla. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the low cost airline is set for a busy first week back at the two airports, with inbound flights seeing high load factors, some even being overbooked. This week, Wizz will also resume flights between Budapest and Sarajevo. Furthermore, it will reintroduce all of its services from Niš, after restarting flights from the city with a single route two weeks ago.

Wizz Air’s CEO, Jozsef Varadi, said last week, “We are one of the very few airlines in Europe which can deliver growth capacity when everyone else is cutting and contracting capacity”. Mr Varadi noted the airline would retain its primarily eastern and central European focus but would be more opportunistic in western Europe. Wizz, whose Abu Dhabi-based joint venture is due to start flying later this year, is also opening new bases at Milan, Larnaca, Lviv and Tirana. “Many airports are approaching us”, Mr Varadi said. Wizz has a strong balance sheet and while it has cut 19% of its workforce, it is sticking with plans to grow its fleet and was one of the first airlines to restart flights.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:01

    Nice news!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:02

    Mr Varadi, what growth if you are reducing your BUD and CLJ bases by two aircraft and WAW, SKP, WRO, TSR, CRA...by one?

    That man is such a spin doctor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:30

      That spin doctor said goodbye to Laudas base in VIE.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:54

      But not to FR babe ;)

      Delete
    3. Nemjee10:35

      If Ryanair does replace Lauda in Vienna then it's going to make things much worse for both Wizz Air and Austrian Airlines. Ryanair plans on using their Maltese and Polish crew who are working under borderline illegal contracts and extremely low salaries. In other words, they will enter a market with relatively high expenses with much lower costs.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:48

      not really. the image of Ryanair and Lauda in Austria is a the lowest level ...

      Delete
    5. Nemjee12:02

      To be honest I don't think people care that much as long as their fares are low.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous14:27

      Note that Wizz's image is better in Austria than Lauda/Ryanair.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous15:07

      and the Maltese crew were sacked by a third
      https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-air-makes-pilots-cabin-crew-redundant.795406

      Delete
    8. Anonymous20:53

      Austria is not that price sensitive, since people have more money, so indeed most people dislike Ryanair + there's Level in Vienna.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous20:57

      If people were not price sensitive then how come W6 and FR do so well there?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous21:02

      It helps when one can read: I wrote most, not all people.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous21:03

      So what you are saying is that only poor people love FR? Ok.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous21:07

      I did not write that - it is something that you somehow decided to understand.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous21:12

      Strange theory man, I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:02

    Good news that they won’t be taking away aircraft from BEG and TZL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      +1

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:42

      That is bad news fore JU.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:01

      JU lived so many years (and kept expanding!) with W6 in BEG so I do not see any reason why it should be any bad news for JU.

      And also there were Norwegian, flyDubai, Pegasus, Transavia Volotea, Redwings, easyJet etc.

      It seems to be bad news for you.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:25

      When did Volotea fly to BEG?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:33

      It is only bad news for Serbian tax payers.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:33

      Correction:
      Vueling

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:02

    Interesting that they are seeing great loads just like JU is. Seems like Serbian market is recovering fast!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:03

    Any other potential new destination from these two airports other than Salzburg?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:05

      I think AUH could work from both cities.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:12

      LIS from BEG

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:19

      MXP-BEG?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:49

      TAP tried LIS-BEG and failed.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:49

      Also Italy doesn't seem to have worked out well for LCCs from BEG.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:55

      TAP never failed in Belgrade. They went into overall restructuring, scrapping many routes in order to consolidate themselves. The demand is there. It's just a question now if TP or JU will seize the opportunity first.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:55

      WiZz failed in Brussels then how come JU does fine? Same about DY and W6 in Oslo?

      Delete
    8. Anonymous09:59

      ^ Because their cost structures are different. An indication that JU is not making money in Brussels is that they have decreased frequencies several times on the route for the past few years. In winter 2017/18 and 2018/19 when they were implementing huge network cuts, Brussels saw the biggest number of pre cancellations. It was barely operated in February.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous09:59

      * barely operated in February in those years.

      Delete
    10. Nemjee10:36

      Well, he was speaking about terminated routes, not downgraded ones. Air Serbia still flies to Brussels unlike Wizz Air.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous10:39

      Yes and it looses a bucket load of money by flying there. But of course they won't suspend it - to Brussels of all places.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous11:15

      I think Paris Beauvais could work for them from Tuzla, especially since there are no nonstop flights from Bosnia to France.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous11:35

      @9.19 Italy seems a no go zone for LCCs from Serbia. Easyjet and Air One also failed on Belgrade-Milan route.

      Delete
    14. Nemjee12:05

      Anon 10.39 and what are you basing your argument on that JU is losing money in Brussels? I am really curious.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous12:09

      On the fact that frequencies have been decreasing year after year in summer and winter and one year the route didn't even operate in February for the whole month.

      Delete
    16. Nemjee12:19

      That still doesn't mean it's losing money, actually the cuts could have stabilized the route's finances.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:05

    Ironic really how there are constantly some Wizz haters here yet they were the first airline to resume flights to SRB and BiH and are resuming the most flights at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:12

      Technically JU never ceased flights as they operated countless repatriation flights free of charge.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:14

      We are talking about commercial flights, as you already know.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:16

      well, I'm a hater because of their passivity in BEG. sure, they announced SZG, but they're starting TIA with 15 routes and 3 planes. BEG has far more potential then the current network

      Delete
    4. Anonymous09:18

      ^ Well you don't know the economics behind it. Unlike some airlines they make their decisions based on costs and profit. Some routes may have potential but you have to factor in airport costs and competition.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous09:20

      TIA is throwing cash at them, that's why they are expanding like that there. In Belgrade they have to compete fairly with others

      Delete
    6. Anonymous09:23

      They compete fairly with everyone other than Air Serbia, which doesn't compete fairly against anyone considering the subsidies, incentives and aid they get. Plus the regulatory assistance in blocking airlines or routes they also get from time to time.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous09:56

      TIA "isnt throwing cash" at them. Those incentives are available to be used by every airline unlike SKP s tenders

      Delete
    8. Anonymous09:56

      Then how come foreign airlines thrive on Belgrade despite this supposed unfair competition from JU? Hmm

      Delete
    9. Anonymous10:01

      Imagine how many airlines there would be if the competition was fair.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous10:05

      Because there is a market. There is demand.
      W6 knows it although they tried to blackmail BEG few years ago. It was epic fail.

      Delete
    11. Nemjee10:39

      Anon 10.01

      How many would there be? Can you please explain to all of us here how come JU terminated Malta where they were defeated by Wizz Air?

      Delete
    12. JATBEGMEL13:08

      TIA is offering subsidies to all airlines, not just W6. JU would most likely have benefited from some subsidies had the increase in frequencies went ahead.

      Airlines in TIA are also getting subsidies when scheduling larger aircraft on existing routes.

      @ anon 10,01

      This has been commented soo many times. You obviously have no knowledge of what has been happening the past 15 years in Serbian aviation. You can go back to tens of articles where this was debated from all aspects.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:08

    Is there any indication when the Skopje base will reopen?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:11

      When Skopje Airport reopens. 15th of June most probably but could be later.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:13

      Why is NMKD so strict with their border?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous09:14

      Because the epidemiological situation is still not good.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:01

      rubbish. MK has a low number of active cases. its because of elections that must be held in 22 days if they reopen the borders aka end of the emergency state (initial date was beginniing of April). the rightwingers are afraid now to take part so they threat to boycot them.

      the borders stil closed is because of a deep political crisis

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:24

      I don't know about politics but there were 7 deaths today and 89 new cases despite Macedonia not having the biggest population in the region and doing the least testing per capita.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous16:46

      Wow that's bad, I'm happy Serbia is done with those scenarios, we had one death and 18 new cases, down from 31 yesterday.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous20:59

      These are clusters in the parts of the country where Albanians were celebrating Ramadan.
      Same pattern as in all countries post-Ramadan, even Iran which managed to reduce the infections is back to the peak levels.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:11

    Luton-Belgrade is full to the last seat today.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:31

    Fantastic news. Great to see Tuzla back in action.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous09:33

    In my opinion this is a sad day for our airport in Sarajevo. Even though airport has reopened there are no flights whatsoever whereas Tuzla has 3 flights today. Shows how bad the strategy has been at SJJ for not attracting any airline to open a base here.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous09:47

    As I can see all flights scheduled for today are being canceled

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:48

      You are seeing wrong

      Belgrade - Memmingen departed
      Belgrade - Stockholm Skavsta departed
      London Luton - Belgrade departed

      The rest are scheduled for later today.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:52

      Yes I don't know which cancellations you talk about. All BEG flights are operating normally and Tuzla flights begin tomorrow.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:06

      New glasses maybe?

      Delete
  12. Anonymous09:55

    I hope they will start Abu Dhabi from at least on ex-Yu airport. Would give Flydubai a run for their money.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:34

    Good to see Wizz Air isn't in any major problem.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous10:34

    I'm surprised how many flights they are operating all things considered.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous10:35

    Looks like W6 will be winners after the crisis.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous12:51

    Just checked on their website that they have a 20% promo from and to Bulgaria because of the opened borders. There are prices as little as 13€! e.g. SOF-BCN
    VIE-BOJ 17€ another nail in the coffin for Lauda...
    I wonder if they will do the same with BEG especially to Switzerland and Germany.
    We might expect a revolution in VIE following the Lauda goodbye in January 2021.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:54

      Lauda is being replaced with Ryanair, they are not going anywhere. Also don't forget that Wizz reduced many bases in the region so they are not doing all that well. Sofia also saw some reductions the past few years.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous13:07

      Yeah, similar to their other bases they reduced some destinations replacing them with newer ones. Tbh, LGW was the biggest surprise. This route is strongly dominated by U2 for almost a decade and will be interesting to see how they perform.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous16:47

      FR is cutting MAD OTP and 0B is terminating OTP BCN, both great news for JU.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous12:57

    At least things are moving again.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous12:59

    Not a good start, both flights are terribly delayed.

    FMM 06.10/ 09.39
    NYO 06.15/ 09.13

    Hope passengers got the compensation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:31

      Sure they will. Sometime next year after the ones waiting for 2 months already will be paid.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:48

      Doubt it, what W6 does is that they board the plane 15 minutes before the time expires and like that they can get out of paying.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous13:11

    Interestingly, FR is cutting AMM, TLV, SEN and MAD (!) from OTP. I wonder if W6 will react to this.
    FR have failed quite a lot in Romania sadly after the closure of TSR and completely pulling out of OMR and CRA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:08

      Okay. Cutting Madrid is an utter surprise. The market is endless?!?!!?
      Surprisingly, FR is winning in SOF (kicked asses in UK, DE and IT) and losing in OTP.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:49

      Don't forget that Wizz is also reducing flights and bases in Romania.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous14:23

    Here are some fresh photos from the Aerodrom Niš Konstantin Veliki FB page from today (INI-DTM)

    https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1674736565998569&set=pcb.1674737005998525
    https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1674736619331897&set=pcb.1674737005998525
    https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1674736602665232&set=pcb.1674737005998525

    Doesn't seem to be quite a busy flight...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:02

      It's busy on the way in. Not so much on the way out where there is a ban on entry.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous16:01

    Greatto have them back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:03

      That was supposed to be *great to

      Delete
  22. Anonymous17:26

    Great news!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Im sad bkoz no more lyon from beg. Also wizz could open summer flights to armenia and georgia.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is confusing. How come they are selling tickets for this week, when all these countries have not even opened up to their neighbouring countries within the EU?

    Or are they simply selling tickets to stay afloat?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:47

      Because most people flying with Wizz Air are gastos who are citizens of the European country they fly from. Also many of these countries have many exceptions like allowing your immediate family entry (if you are a citizen) despite them not having to be a citizen. The ones that rely on leisure traffic are not starting this week - like Malta and Larnaca.

      Delete

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