AirAsia X is opening a new route from Budapest!
As shown in their schedules, Ryanair and Wizz Air are dropping many of their flights to Budapest during the winter period. Both airlines have been cutting 1-2 flights on multiple routes. At the same time, AirAsia X is opening new routes from Bangkok.
Flights to Lacarna will drop from six to two per week by January. There will be only two flights per week to Nice from the beginning of next year while flights to Iceland will be reduced from three to two and routes to Dortmund from four to three. The biggest cuts will affect Billund – from five flights to two – and Prague, where the number of remaining flights will be only two in contrast to the previous nine per week, reported Okosutas.hu.
The list goes on as Ryanair and Wizz Air have been dealing with a continuous decline in customer demand. Due to the decrease in bookings, the two airlines even cancel previously announced flights. Fortunately, so far, they have not planned to cancel new routes. While Ryanair has a set winter timetable valid for the entire season, Wizz Air might make some additional changes in the next couple of months.
Although it is not unusual for airlines to reduce the number of their flights in the winter season, this year, the cuts seem more substantial compared to 2021. The reason is probably the energy crisis and the increased utility costs. This year, the demand for travel will most likely decrease to a greater extent than usual, and airlines respond to this by reducing capacity.
Other airlines launch new routes
According to Utazómajom.hu, AirAsia X had a financially difficult time during the pandemic but they hope for a positive turn-around and increased profitability next year. “The countries have reopened their borders, so in due time we will be able to re-launch, among other destinations, in North-East Asia, which is our main destination”, said CEO Tony Fernandez.
Among other destinations, the airline plans new routes between Bangkok and Budapest. The low-cost flights would start in 2023. There is currently no direct air connection from Budapest to the capital of Thailand. It would also make numerous South-East Asian countries and Australia a lot easier to reach.
Source: okosutas.hu, utazomajom.hu