Surprising: Wizz Air abolishes “last passenger-friendly discount”, flies longer to the Middle East
This summer was full of cancelled and delayed flights in Europa affecting the Hungarian low-cost airline, Wizz Air, as well. In such cases, the budget airline refunded 100% of the ticket price in cash or 120% in Wizz credits. The latter option is no longer available. Despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Wizz Air insists on flying there, but on modified and longer routes.
Wizz Air abolishes passenger-friendly option silently
According to okosutas.hu, Wizz Air revoked one of its last “passenger-friendly” discounts by not giving 120% refund in Wizz credits anymore. That option was available since the introduction of the Wizz credit system and was available for all passengers whose flights were significantly delayed or cancelled.
Now, the system gives you two refund options: 100% in cash or Wizz credits. However, the Hungarian low-cost airline forgot to announce that decision publicly, okosutas.hu wrote. The only benefit of the Wizz credit system now is that Wizz Air transmits the credits sooner than the cash.
Flights to Israel remain, in theory
Officially, Wizz Air continues to serve its passengers in Israel despite the escalating Middle Eastern armed conflict. Most budget airlines suspended their flights, but Wizz Air’s theoretically remain.
That comes after the European Commission said airlines should avoid Lebanese and Israeli airspace until 31 October. The EC and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) warned in a joint statement of “an overall intensification of air strikes and degradation in the security situation”, The Times of Israel wrote.
Wizz Air did not announce a halt in their Israeli flights. But, in practice, none of their flights landed in Tel Aviv between 26 September and 5 October. Furthermore, some cancellations happened late at night, affecting many passengers’ travel plans. Therefore, Okosutas recommends buying tickets to Israeli fights because they will serve the country until a total airspace closure. Meanwhile, Wizz Air’s arrival in Tel Aviv is doubtful.
Extra stop to Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Flight routes between Budapest-Abu Dhabi and Budapest-Dubai also changed due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Wizz Air said safety was their top priority, so they tried to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon.
Therefore, their flights fly above Saudi Arabia and Egypt, so they must land in Lárnaca, Cyprus. As a result, the flight time is two hours longer, but they did not have to cancel any flights.
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Wizz Air expands payment options and adjusts plans for Saudi expansion
Wizz Air, a prominent Hungarian low-cost airline, has introduced new payment options in its mobile apps, allowing passengers to use Google Pay and Apple Pay for their transactions. These mobile wallet features, now available on both Android and iOS platforms, aim to streamline the booking process, especially for last-minute travellers and those purchasing additional services shortly before departure. The airline noted that over 30% of passengers typically add extra services after booking, with nearly half opting to do so through the mobile app. This enhancement is expected to offer passengers faster and more secure ways to pay for both tickets and services, such as seat selection and baggage.
In addition to this payment upgrade, Wizz Air now accepts Revolut bank cards onboard its flights (as we detailed HERE), further expanding the range of payment options available to customers, AIRportal.hu reports. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance convenience and meet the evolving expectations of travellers.
Change in Wizz Air’s Saudi expansion plans
Despite these positive developments, the airline recently announced a significant shift in its expansion plans in Saudi Arabia, according to another article by AIRportal.hu. Wizz Air has decided to abandon its initial proposal to establish a 50-aircraft joint venture in the Kingdom.
This project, which was first outlined in a 2022 agreement with the Saudi government, would have involved the creation of a local subsidiary to bolster operations in the region. However, instead of proceeding with this venture, the airline will focus on growing its presence in Saudi Arabia as a destination market, launching additional routes from European hubs.
One key part of this strategy involves the use of the long-range Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which will allow Wizz Air to serve more distant destinations. The first of these planes is expected to begin operating between London-Gatwick and Jeddah in March 2025. However, the airline’s subsidiary, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, has delayed the launch of this aircraft type until 2026, citing the need to wait for the new Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engines, which are better suited to the hot and dusty climate of the region.
Wizz Air’s CEO, József Váradi, recently commented on these developments during an interview with Reuters. He explained that the decision to pause the Saudi joint venture was a strategic one, allowing the airline to focus on the growing demand for travel to Saudi Arabia. He also addressed the company’s financial challenges, noting that Wizz Air’s stock price has dropped by 42% over the past year. Váradi believes this decline is an overreaction to external factors such as geopolitical issues and the engine supply chain problems affecting many airlines worldwide.
New bonus package for CEO Váradi
In a related development, as we reported before, Wizz Air is set to introduce a new bonus package for its CEO. According to reports from HVG, Váradi is expected to receive a one-time stock award worth around GBP 700,000 on 1 October, which is three times his annual salary.
This package comes as part of a broader long-term incentive plan designed to motivate leadership through the company’s recovery from recent global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical disruptions. Last year, shareholders approved a two-year extension of Váradi’s long-term bonus plan, which gives him the potential to earn up to GBP 100 million if the airline’s stock price increases fivefold to GBP 120 by the extended deadline. The upcoming stock bonus would count towards this total.
Read also:
- Controversies at Wizz Air: Flight cancellations followed by bonus announcement for CEO
- Will Wizz Air launch American flights? Here is what CEO Váradi said about plans
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Controversies at Wizz Air: Flight cancellations followed by bonus announcement for CEO
Wizz Air cancelled a scheduled flight from Podgorica to Budapest after hours of delays, leaving passengers stranded overnight at the Montenegrin airport. However, despite the recent cancellations and delays, the airline sparked further controversy by announcing a new bonus package for its CEO, József Váradi.
After hours of waiting, Wizz Air cancelled its scheduled flight from Podgorica, Montenegro, to Budapest, Hungary, leaving several passengers stranded at the Montenegrin airport, HVG reports. The flight was originally set to depart at 12:50 PM on Tuesday but was officially cancelled around midnight. Many passengers spent the night on plastic chairs at the airport. One passenger reported that throughout the day, they were reassured that the flight would eventually take off.
After five hours of waiting, they watched a flight to Gdansk depart from Podgorica. At that point, passengers received vouchers worth HUF 4,600 (about EUR 12), followed later by another HUF 6,000 voucher (about EUR 16). Despite reopening the gate at 9 PM, the airline provided no clear information about the cause of the delay.
Wizz Air offers direct flights from Podgorica to Budapest twice a week, on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Initially, stranded passengers were told they could fly home on Saturday, but that flight was already fully booked. The next available flight wasn’t until the following Tuesday. Eventually, Wizz Air advised passengers to make their own way home, resulting in significant additional costs.
In response to the situation, Wizz Air told HVG that the flight had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, which prevented the safe operation. The flight from Budapest had attempted to land at Podgorica but was diverted to Tirana due to the weather. Despite repeated efforts, the weather remained unsuitable for landing in Podgorica, forcing the plane to return to Budapest as the crew’s working hours were ending.
Bonus for the difficult times for Wizz Air’s CEO
In other news, Wizz Air announced a new bonus package for CEO József Váradi, despite recent cancellations and delays, HVG reports. According to Bloomberg, the airline plans to award Váradi a one-time share bonus of around GBP 700,000, three times his annual salary, set for payment on 1 October. Additionally, a long-term incentive package from 2026 could be worth five times his salary.
Last year, shareholders approved a two-year extension to Váradi’s bonus plan, which includes a potential GBP 100 million reward if he increases Wizz Air’s stock value to GBP 120 by 2021. Current bonuses would contribute to this target, however, the goal remains challenging, as Wizz Air’s stock price currently hovers around GBP 13.5, having dropped from GBP 22 since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war and the summer airport chaos.
The company argues that this new compensation package is necessary to retain Váradi, who reportedly earns less than most airline executives. The bonus is intended to motivate him to guide Wizz Air through “difficult times” and improve the company’s performance.
Read also:
- Will Wizz Air launch American flights? Here is what CEO Váradi said about plans – Read here
- Wizz Air eyes expansion into India and Pakistan, with ambitious growth plans – Read here
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Will Wizz Air launch American flights? Here is what CEO Váradi said about plans
Wizz Air plans to launch long-haul flights with their new Airbus A321 XLR planes, but CEO József Váradi said they would not like to enter the American market. Instead, they would like to expand in the Middle East and Asia and will launch their first long-distance flight between London and Jeddah.
239 non-adjustable seats, 3 toilets, no free food
“Wizz Air Holdings Plc. has a message for anyone considering the budget airline’s seven-hour flight to Saudi Arabia next year: If you want frills, bring your own”, Bloomberg wrote about Wizz Air’s new, long-range flights. That refers to the budget airline’s policies concerning how comfortable passengers can travel with them.
CEO Váradi told the news outlet in Abu Dhabi that every perk, from water to snacks and carry-on luggage, will cost extra money for their passengers. Váradi said they would like to serve pilgrims in the first place with their new London-Jeddah flight. However, passengers will not get anything for free during the 7-hour-long flight. Therefore, passengers will have to entertain themselves.
There will be no free meals on board the pencil-thin planes, the planes will not have adjustable seats and they will not be able to watch movies on displays built in the headrest.
The maximum number of passengers will be 239 and they will have to use three toilets accessible through a narrow corridor. In return, the tickets will be cheap: GBP 135 one way. Between Milan and Abu Dhabi, the price will only be EUR 100. Mr Váradi believes that is how they can democratise flying.
Wizz Air continuously tries to renew its service. In August, they introduced the “All You Can Fly” pass as a world-first, which Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, called a stupidity. The idea gave a long-needed boost to the airline’s shares weakened by the problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines forcing dozens of Wizz Air planes to the ground for months.
Will Wizz Air launch Transatlantic flights?
The airline ordered 47 XLR planes and plans to create a new hub near London. The flight time of that plane is 8 hours, so even a Transatlantic route could be launched from Western Europe. However, Váradi does not want to. “We are not prepared for that”, he added. The CEO cleared that nobody expects them to launch flights to New York or Boston. Instead, they would like to expand in India and Pakistan to carry guest workers to the Middle East.
Wizz Air plans to increase its fleet to 500 carriers by 2030, but the disruptions in the supply chains may prolong that by 1-2 years.
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Wizz Air does not cancel popular flights to the ‘Eternal City’ from Hungary in October!
Good news for passengers: Wizz Air, Hungary’s low-cost airline, will not cancel its Debrecen-Rome flight in October.
We wrote in THIS article that as of 6 October, the Rome flight will be suspended indefinitely, confirmed by Wizz Air’s Corporate Communications Manager Olívia Harangozó.
However, Utazómajom, a Hungarian travel news media outlet, discovered that the communication manager did not give a 100% accurate answer last week. The new outlet asked Wizz Air again because their readers who have tickets for October flights had not been notified about the cancellations to Rome.
According to Wizz Air’s answer, the last flight to Rome from Debrecen will depart on 26 October instead of 6 October. They said there was an error in their booking system. That is why it showed the flight was unavailable. “We apologise for the mistake which we corrected”, they concluded their reply.
This is the reason why passengers were not informed about the cancellations.
Wizz Air halts most of its flights from Debrecen
Wizz Air decided to halt seven out of their eight flights from Debrecen in the winter season. The Hungarian budget airline is to keep only their Debrecen-London flight from November but with a significant reduction in frequency. Currently, there are five weekly flights, but starting in November, this will be reduced to three, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
That means Wizz Air planes will not fly to Eindhoven, Rome, Antalya, Corfu, Larnaca, Burgas, and Istanbul after November.
In July, Wizz Air decided to relocate the only plane based in Debrecen Airport and closed their Debrecen base.
Read also:
- Wizz Air and other airlines cancel flights to Israel amid escalating conflict with Hezbollah – read more HERE
- New flight from Budapest to the ‘Venice of the North’, awesome Wizz Air touchdown VIDEO
Wizz Air and other airlines cancel flights to Israel amid escalating conflict with Hezbollah
Airstrikes between Israel and Lebanon intensified on Tuesday, leading several airlines (Hungarian-owned Wizz Air, among others) to suspend flights to Israel.
In response to recent rocket attacks launched from Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes targeting the group’s positions and rocket launchers. These rockets had been aimed at Afula and other towns in the Jezreel Valley, according to an IDF spokesperson. Several Hezbollah sites were hit, resulting in secondary explosions, suggesting that weapons were stored in the targeted buildings.
Several airlines suspend flights to the Middle East
As tensions escalated between Israel and Hezbollah, more airlines announced the suspension of flights, Világgazdaság reports. Wizz Air, which operates from Hungary, temporarily cancelled its flights to Tel Aviv and Amman, which were scheduled for Tuesday. British Airways also suspended flights for 48 hours, while Azerbaijan Airlines scrapped its planned flights for the day.
Wizz Air stated it is in contact with affected passengers and continues to closely monitor the situation. On Monday, Lufthansa extended its suspension of flights to and from Israel until 14 October, a move affecting Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings as well.
Several other airlines have halted their Israeli routes indefinitely. United Airlines and Croatia Airlines have stopped flights without announcing a specific timeline. Flights from LOT and Virgin Atlantic have been suspended until 25 September, British Airways until the 26th, Air India until 24 October, Ryanair until the 27th, and Vueling through the end of October. Delta Airlines, Air Canada, and EasyJet have postponed flights well into the end of 2024, with EasyJet pushing its suspension until the end of March 2025.
Concerns are growing among travellers with upcoming reservations, especially those booked for the Jewish holidays. Thousands of ultra-Orthodox pilgrims traditionally travel to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah. Despite the ongoing conflict, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport remains fully operational, with no flights being redirected to other countries, according to an airport authority spokesperson.
Israeli air strikes in Lebanon claim nearly 500 lives as death toll keeps rising
Airstrikes carried out by Israeli forces have intensified in recent days, and as of Monday, nearly 500 people have died in Lebanon as a result. The country experienced its deadliest day of Israeli airstrikes since the ongoing exchanges began nearly a year ago. According to Lebanese authorities, 492 people, including 35 children, lost their lives on Monday alone due to the strikes targeting Hezbollah militants, Világgazdaság writes in another article. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that the total casualty count includes 35 children and 58 women and that over 1,645 people have been injured. The death toll continues to rise as airstrikes persist.
US to send more troops to the Middle East
As the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalates, the United States is deploying more troops to the Middle East. In a daily press conference, Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder said, without giving details, that it would be a small military contingent, but did not say what the new units would be tasked with, Világgazdaság reports.
Read also:
- Good news for passengers: Flight to Western Europe from Hungarian city continues to operate
- Wizz Air halts Rome route from Debrecen amid broader flight reductions
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Wizz Air halts Rome route from Debrecen amid broader flight reductions
Starting at the end of October, Wizz Air will only operate flights to London from Debrecen, halting its Rome routes, while even the London flights will become less frequent. Meanwhile, two seasonal holiday routes are expected to return next year.
According to Dehir.hu, the Hungarian-owned low-cost airline continues to drastically reduce its presence in Debrecen.
As of 6 October, the Rome flight will be suspended indefinitely, confirmed Wizz Air’s Corporate Communications Manager, Olívia Harangozó.
She also noted that Wizz Air would maintain two daily flights to Rome from Budapest, though this is little consolation for travellers from Debrecen. While later dates for the Debrecen-Rome flight are still listed on the schedule, bookings are no longer possible after 5 October.
The route between Debrecen and Rome, launched less than a year ago in December, is now set to end abruptly despite previous communication that it had been performing well, making the suspension particularly surprising.
Wizz Air’s closure of Debrecen base
In July, Wizz Air announced that it would relocate its Debrecen-based aircraft to Budapest from 27 October, sharply cutting the number of flights from the city.
Alongside the Rome route, Wizz Air will also cancel two more permanent routes from Debrecen—to Istanbul and Eindhoven—both of which will be dropped from the schedule starting in November, Dehir.hu writes.
The Eindhoven route, one of the oldest and previously most successful along with the London route, is being cancelled despite its long-standing popularity. The Istanbul route, on the other hand, was only introduced in April of this year.
Burgas as a summer route
Wizz Air’s statement confirmed that the Bulgarian destination of Burgas will remain available, although it was initially only intended as a seasonal route. However, Burgas flights will not operate this October, with the airline planning to resume the route in summer 2025, running from late June through September.
Regarding the Cyprus route to Larnaca, Wizz Air will revert it to a seasonal service. Although it became a year-round flight in 2022, it will now return to its previous status, operating only during the holiday season. The Larnaca route will be suspended at the end of October and resume in late March 2025.
Since Wizz Air’s statement only mentions these two holiday routes, it suggests that flights to Corfu in Greece and Antalya in Turkey are unlikely to return in summer 2025.
Changes to the London route
As things stand, by late October, Wizz Air will have only one regular flight left from Debrecen—to London—but even this route will see changes.
The London flight was Wizz Air’s first from Debrecen and has always been its most popular. At one point, it operated six times a week between Debrecen and the UK capital. Currently, there are five weekly flights, but
starting in November, this will be reduced to three, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
According to the current schedule, this arrangement will last until fall 2025.
In July, Debrecen International Airport Ltd., which operates the airport, stated that, with the support of its owners, it will take all necessary steps to reinstate popular and well-filled routes, such as Tel Aviv and Eindhoven, and potentially introduce new destinations starting in summer 2025, in collaboration with other airlines.
Read also:
- Wizz Air eyes expansion into India and Pakistan, with ambitious growth plans
- New flight from Budapest to the ‘Venice of the North’, awesome Wizz Air touchdown VIDEO
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Wizz Air eyes expansion into India and Pakistan, with ambitious growth plans
There’s no stopping the Wizz Air train – or more precisely, the Wizz Air plane. After the low-cost airline’s shares rose nicely on the London Stock Exchange, the Hungarian-owned company announced plans to launch in Pakistan as well as India within the next 6 to 12 months. CEO József Váradi stated that the airline aims to break into these South Asian markets, as well as further solidify its presence in Saudi Arabia. These countries are considered popular destinations for travellers from the United Arab Emirates, where Wizz Air already operates through a joint venture. Furthermore, Wizz recently announced its first trip, on which it will use its new narrow-body, long-range Airbus aircraft. The difference compared to most traditional airlines will be that three-course meals and reclining seats will not be available on Wizz flights.
Beginning in March next year, Wizz Air will introduce Airbus’ new narrow-body, long-range aircraft on the route between London and Jeddah, which lasts close to 7 hours, as we wrote HERE. However, the airline will not offer the typical luxuries found on long-haul flights, such as reclining seats, entertainment screens, or in-flight meals. As Váradi put it, passengers flying the overnight route will need to entertain themselves, Portfolio writes. This cost-cutting approach also extends to every other service, from water to carry-on baggage, all of which will come with a fee.
Passengers on these flights will also face some challenges when it comes to facilities. Nearly 240 passengers will share just three onboard toilets, with everyone having to navigate through a single narrow aisle to reach them. Despite the relatively low price of GBP 134.99 for a one-way ticket, the aircraft’s setup on the new A321XLR will be identical to that of Wizz Air’s other short-haul planes in the A320 family.
Wizz Air “lets passengers decide what they want to pay for”
The new A321XLR aircraft, designed for longer routes, will feature the same basic cabin setup as Wizz Air’s short-haul planes. Passengers will be able to bring their own amenities, such as blankets, and purchase additional space, food, and beverages, but at a price. Váradi defended this model by emphasising that Wizz Air’s low-cost flights democratise air travel by letting passengers decide which services they want to pay for, contrasting this with traditional airlines that bundle services into higher ticket prices.
Wizz Air is optimistic about future growth, anticipating a 15-20% increase in passenger numbers over the next year, largely due to the launch of new routes in the Middle East, Portfolio writes in another article. The airline, which transported a record 62 million passengers last financial year, recently announced new flights between London Gatwick and Jeddah, as well as between Milan and Abu Dhabi, slated to begin in March 2025. These expansions, however, depend on regulatory approvals and solutions to ongoing capacity limitations caused by issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. These complications contributed to a 44% drop in the airline’s operating profit in the first quarter of this year.
CEO positive about Wizz’s potential
Despite these setbacks, Váradi remains confident in Wizz Air’s potential. He believes that external factors like geopolitics and engine troubles have disproportionately impacted the company’s stock price, but that the airline’s underlying performance remains strong. Additionally, while some competitors have experienced a sharp decline in ticket prices over the summer, Wizz Air’s pricing has stayed relatively stable.
Looking ahead, Wizz Air is focused on expanding its operations in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which it views as a key inbound market. Váradi also expects that the Abu Dhabi base will represent a growing share of the airline’s capacity in the future, offering further opportunities for growth in the region.
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New flight from Budapest to the ‘Venice of the North’, awesome Wizz Air touchdown VIDEO
A Scandinavian airline, SAS, is to expand its network in 2025: they announced 15 new lines, including a Budapest-Copenhagen flight.
New flight from Budapest to Copenhagen
According to AIRportal.hu, the new flights will carry passengers between 3 April and 24 October 2025 between the Danish and Hungarian capitals. In the beginning, the planes will fly three times a week. From 5 September, that number will be increased to four. The flight days will be Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
Unfortunately, between 24 June and 6 August, there will be only one flight a week. What’s more, between 7 and 20 August, the flights will not commute between Budapest and Copenhagen. The airline will use Airbus A320neo planes on the route.
SAS plans to expand its Copenhagen Network in 2025 since it regards the Danish capital as its hub. Therefore, it announced 15 European and intercontinental flights from the Copenhagen Airport in Kastrup.
You may reach Seattle, Cracow, Madrid, Lyon, Valencia, Malta, Bucharest, Milan-Linate, Sevilla, Turku, Billund, Kristiansand, Harstad/Narvik and Bodø from the Danish capital. Furthermore, they will increase the frequency of 15 lines. SAS exited U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in August, and its CEO said then that the company would enter a “new era” with new owners and a stronger balance sheet. Before, the Sweden-based airline restructured its USD 2 billion debt.
SAS joined the Sky Team alliance in September, and the Air France-KLM Group gained a 19.9% share in the company as part of a consortium of Castlelake, Lind Invest and the Danish state.
Awesome Wizz Air touchdown in Madeira with VIDEO
The pilot of Wizz Air’s Rome-Funchal flights was outstandingly brave at one of the world’s most dangerous airports. The aircraft shifted to the right and the left multiple times before it could touch the ground on the island of Madeira.
Here is the full video:
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Sad sight: Dozens of Wizz Air aircraft grounded at former Polish military base – VIDEO
A significant portion of Wizz Air’s grounded Airbus A321neo fleet, affected by Pratt & Whitney engine issues, is being stored at the former military airport of Bydgoszcz Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Poland. The grounded A321neo/A320neo planes can be seen in a video from the AviSpace channel, which captured a flight between Warsaw and Bydgoszcz.
Lots of Wizz Air aircraft grounded in Poland
According to Wizz Air’s latest update from the end of June, the airline had to ground 46 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft due to contamination of key parts in the new generation Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM GTF engines.
As AIRportal.hu reported back in August, nearly 500 A320neo planes are grounded globally. It’s expected that an average of 350 aircraft will undergo engine inspections and maintenance simultaneously through 2026.
With a limited number of replacement engines available, some planes could remain out of service for up to a year.
Each affected aircraft is likely to remain grounded for around 300 days while the engines are refurbished with new parts.
The long repair time is due to the complex nature of the process: engines must be removed, transported to manufacturer-approved service centers with limited capacity, and almost entirely disassembled to replace the affected components.
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Budapest half marathon shuts down major roads: Traffic restrictions across the city
Due to the Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon on Sunday, several road closures are in place throughout Budapest. The restrictions primarily affect both the Pest and Buda embankments, the Liberty Bridge, and the area around Árpád Fejedelem Road in Óbuda, according to the Budapest Transport Center (BKK) via MTI.
Road closures in Budapest
Closures began Saturday morning at 8 AM and will remain in effect until Sunday night at 9 PM. The Pázmány Péter promenade in District XI is closed, and buses 107 and 154 are operating on alternate routes.
On Sunday, rolling closures will be enforced on the Pázmány Péter promenade, the Műegyetem embankment, the lower embankments on both sides of the Danube, the Üstökös street ramp, Árpád Fejedelem Road, Árpád Bridge, the central road on Margaret Island, Margaret Bridge, Újpest embankment, Liberty Bridge, and at major junctions such as Szent Gellért Square and Clark Ádám Square, Telex reports.
Public transport affected
Public transportation is also affected. Bus lines 16, 29, 34, 105, 106, 118, 134, 137, 178, 210B, 218, 226, and 237, as well as trams 2, 2B, 19, 23, 41, 47, and 49, will be running on modified or shortened routes during certain periods. Bus 26 is expected to be out of service temporarily.
The restrictions will alter the schedules and routes of additional services, including buses 4, 6, 83, and others, as well as multiple trolleybuses. Travellers are advised to use the BudapestGO app for real-time route updates and the best alternate routes.
The 39th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon
Nearly 13,000 runners from almost 100 countries have registered for the 39th annual Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon. According to the organiser, Budapest Sport Office (BSI), the event will also host the Hungarian Half Marathon Championship.
“The 39th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon kicks off at 8 AM on Sunday. Participants will complete the 21.1-kilometer course along one of the world’s most scenic routes. About one-third of the runners are international, and we hope they leave with unforgettable memories,” said Árpád Kocsis, CEO of BSI.
With an unusually hot September forecast, the organisers also warned runners to stay cautious, particularly those participating in the 10 km race that starts at noon.
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Wizz Air announces over 7-hour route with new A321XLR aircraft
Wizz Air, known for its ultra-low-cost model, will be the first airline in its category to launch the new-generation, long-range narrow-body aircraft, the A321XLR.
Wizz Air to launch new long-range aircraft
According to the airline’s social media announcement,
the first routes for these aircraft will connect Milan-Malpensa to Abu Dhabi.
Data from booking systems show that the flights will operate daily starting from 2 June 2025, AIRportal.hu reports. These services will be handled by Wizz Air Malta, using Airbus A321XLR aircraft registered in Malta. Flight time is expected to be 6 hours and 35 minutes outbound, and 7 hours and 20 minutes on the return leg.
Wizz Air’s latest financial report reveals that the airline has placed orders for 47 units of the A321neo’s long-range variant. There are plans to use this aircraft for routes to India from various European countries, with approvals already secured from Hungarian, Italian, and Austrian authorities for direct flights to India.
This one’s BIG…
We’re going to be the first Ultra Low-Cost Carrier airline to operate Airbus A321XLR, providing an Xtra Long Range!
So what does this mean? Check out the details 👇
And WIZZ here to book your next exploration: https://t.co/PCcNNZ2fVa pic.twitter.com/2FIv5aCAkE
— Wizz Air (@wizzair) September 4, 2024
Owain Jones, Wizz’s Executive Vice President, told AIRportal.hu this July that the airline expects to take delivery of its first A321XLR in February 2025. The aircraft, like the A321neos, will feature a 239-seat configuration with seats manufactured by the Italian company Geven. However, at the time, Jones did not reveal which base or route would see the debut of the aircraft.
The A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022, followed by an extensive test program involving three aircraft. So far, the manufacturer has received the necessary certification for the variant equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines and a maximum takeoff weight of 97 tons. Certification for the version equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, which Wizz Air uses, is still pending.
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Official: Revolut and Wizz Air make a favourable decision for passengers!
Wizz Air has begun accepting Revolut cards for onboard purchases following a successful trial period that started in early June. Previously, passengers were unable to use Revolut cards during flights, as the airline did not accept prepaid cards, a category under which Revolut was initially classified.
The shift in payment policy
Before the change, Wizz Air consistently informed passengers that Revolut cards could not be used for in-flight transactions, Világgazdaság reports. This policy was mentioned by flight attendants and printed in the in-flight catalogue. The issue arose from Wizz Air’s refusal to accept prepaid cards, which included Revolut’s earlier offerings.
In 2022, Revolut transitioned its European customers from prepaid to debit cards, following its establishment as a licensed bank in Lithuania. Despite this shift, Wizz Air continued to block Revolut cards until launching the trial this past June. During the test period, the airline monitored Revolut card transactions to determine whether they could be fully integrated into the onboard payment system.
Official confirmation
According to Revinfo.hu, Wizz Air’s PR team confirmed the trial, stating: “Wizz Air confirms that for a trial period, we permitted the acceptance of Revolut cards for onboard payments. We are closely monitoring the results and will shape our business strategy accordingly.” Passengers soon reported the news on social media, noting that Revolut cards were now accepted on board, which led to positive reactions, especially from frequent Revolut users who had encountered issues in the past.
Why were Revolut cards previously rejected?
Wizz Air’s earlier ban on Revolut cards was tied to its policy against prepaid cards, which Revolut had issued before 2022. There may have also been concerns about fraud or transaction processing issues, although Wizz Air never publicly stated the specific reasons behind the restriction.
After Revolut switched to issuing debit cards in 2022, Wizz did not immediately update its onboard policy. Passengers often found the outdated restriction confusing, particularly as Revolut’s new debit cards functioned similarly to other accepted forms of payment. The restriction on Revolut was still mentioned in onboard catalogues, but this is no longer the case, and the airline’s online version has been updated.
Expanded payment options
The inclusion of Revolut as an accepted payment method enhances the in-flight experience for many passengers. Revolut is known for offering digital banking services, including currency exchange and budgeting tools, which make it a convenient choice for travellers. Alongside Revolut, Wizz accepts major credit and debit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, but does not allow cash transactions on board—a common practice among low-cost carriers to streamline payment processes.
Benefits for Wizz Air and passengers
As one of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers, Wizz is constantly seeking ways to improve customer satisfaction while maintaining efficiency. The airline, which flies to over 190 destinations across Europe and beyond, generates additional revenue through in-flight sales, baggage fees, and other services. By adding Revolut as a payment option, Wizz Air is better accommodating the growing number of digital banking users, thereby enhancing onboard convenience.
This adjustment reflects the airline’s responsiveness to changing customer preferences, particularly as Revolut continues to grow in popularity across Europe. The introduction of Revolut payments could also lead to more innovations in Wizz Air’s services as it seeks to provide passengers with a modern and seamless travel experience.
In conclusion, Wizz Air’s decision to accept Revolut cards marks a positive shift for both the airline and its passengers. Revolut users can now enjoy greater payment flexibility on board, while the airline benefits from meeting the evolving needs of its diverse customer base.
Read also:
- Great news for passengers: Wizz Air’s pioneer ‘All You Can Fly’ pass expansion on the horizon
- Attention! Wizz Air modified a crucial detail of the All You Can Fly pass!
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Wizz Air flight makes emergency landing in Budapest due to smoke in the cabin
A Wizz Air flight travelling between Craiova and London-Luton made an emergency landing in Budapest early Sunday morning after smoke entered the cabin of the plane, causing two crew members to feel unwell.
The W4 3751 flight took off from Craiova Airport in Romania before dawn. While en route to London-Luton, the plane was already in Hungarian airspace when the crew decided to divert the flight due to smoke entering the cabin through the air conditioning system, AIRportal.hu reports.
The pilots turned the aircraft towards Budapest near Kecskemét and safely landed on runway 13R at Liszt Ferenc International Airport at 6:11 AM. After landing, the plane rolled to its assigned gate. Before the landing, the crew informed air traffic control that two crew members were feeling unwell.
The Airbus A320, registered as HA-LWM, was carrying 180 passengers and 6 crew members at the time of the incident.
AIRportal.hu contacted both the airline and the airport regarding the event. In a brief statement, Budapest Airport confirmed that the Wizz Air flight W4 3751 from Craiova to Luton was diverted to Budapest due to technical and health reasons. They added that passengers were transported to the transit zone, where airport staff provided them with water upon arrival. The flight resumed its journey to Luton at 9:51 AM after the plane and crew were replaced.
The affected aircraft, a 12.5-year-old Airbus A320, is one of the oldest in Wizz Air’s fleet, according to AIRportal.hu.
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Wizz Air leaves 14-year-old Icelandic boy behind while group returns home from Rome
A troubling incident involving Wizz Air’s passenger handling has surfaced, revealing that a 14-year-old Icelandic boy was left stranded in Italy while the rest of his group flew home.
Icelandic boy denied boarding in Rome
The boy was travelling with a group in Italy and was preparing to return home when Wizz Air staff informed him that he would not be allowed to board the flight. His mother, who was anxiously waiting at home, was unable to get any assistance from the airline.
The problem stemmed from overbooking; Wizz Air stated there was not enough room on the plane for all passengers, resulting in the boy, Alfred, being left behind at the Rome airport, according to a report by Bors based on an Austrian newspaper, Kronen Zeitung. Alfred, an Icelandic teenager, was part of a youth group travelling with a chaperone. On 10 August, just before their flight to Reykjavik, the airline suddenly announced the plane was overbooked and there was no space for Alfred.
The chaperone faced a difficult choice: either stay with Alfred, leaving the other seven youths to fly alone, or leave Alfred at the gate and travel with the rest of the group. After consulting with Alfred’s mother, Arna, the decision was made to leave Alfred behind.
Boy’s mother receives no assistance from Wizz Air
The plane departed without the Icelandic boy. Arna was frustrated by the lack of assistance from the airline, but eventually, a couple whose flight had been cancelled and who were also stranded in Rome helped Alfred retrieve his luggage.
The situation was further complicated because the next Wizz Air flight to Reykjavik was a week away, so the boy’s mother had to purchase a ticket on a different, much more expensive flight. The same couple who assisted Alfred on his return journey also helped ensure he arrived home safely.
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Unidentified flying object startles Wizz Air flight in Western Europe
Panic struck aboard a Wizz Air flight as it narrowly avoided an unidentified flying object, suspected to be a drone, which came alarmingly close to the descending aircraft at Eindhoven Airport. The flight, which was arriving from Debrecen, Hungary, faced a risky situation just moments before landing, and the chilling exchange between the pilot and air traffic control has since gone viral.
According to airportal.hu, the Hungarian aviation site, the unmanned flying object suddenly appeared at the same altitude as the Wizz Air flight W6 2705, just 1,370 metres above the ground. The pilot’s voice reportedly crackled with urgency as he described seeing the drone a mere 100 metres away, hovering ominously on the right side of the plane. The potential clash was avoided by sheer luck, as the aircraft managed to steer clear of the flying object.
Menno Swart, an aviation influencer, shared the conversation between the plane’s crew and the air traffic controllers, which you can listen to below:
It’s a drone!
Mafkees met drone zorgt voor levensgevaarlijke situatie.
Piloot van Wizz Air ziet drone op 4500 ft (1400m), op nog geen 100 meter verwijderd van zijn A320, vlak voor de landing op @EINairport . pic.twitter.com/ODh6PnDCD2
— Menno Swart (@MennoSwart) August 22, 2024
The air traffic controller swiftly reported the incident and warned the crew of the following Wizz Air flight.
Airportal reached out to Wizz Air for comment, but the airline has yet to respond.
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Attention! Wizz Air modified a crucial detail of the All You Can Fly pass!
Wizz Air received multiple letters of complaint from the passengers who bought the pass. In the confirmation email after purchasing the pass, the airline wrote about an approximately 10.5-month validity, which contradicted the previous promise of 12 months. Furthermore, the low-cost carrier introduced other modifications to the pioneer pass following users’ feedback.
Was Wizz Air surprised by the huge demand?
Wizz Air’s All You Can Fly pass broke the news on 13 August, and 10,000 passengers bought the first batch of it in 48 hours. Now, the airline is considering the programme’s expansion: read more in THIS article.
The Hungarian low-cost airline did not expect such high demand. First, they promised an early bird discount for a period. Later, they said only the first 100 customers get the discount. That means too many people tried to buy the pass in the first hours despite the initiative’s uncertainties.
For example, nobody knows whether a pass-holder can book a seat on a Wizz Air flight after the start of the programme, from 25 September. The Hungarian low-cost airline shared a PDF document stating that they do not guarantee that a pass-holder will be eligible to book flights via the All You Can Fly “because the provision of flight tickets depends on a number of internal and external factors. These factors include, but are not limited to the:
a) number of total registered members of Wizz All You Can Fly,
b) number of overall passengers with booking to the given flight, and the
c) seat capacity of the given flight.”
All You Can Fly validity error
There are other errors the airline corrected quickly. For example, in the first confirmation emails, they wrote about a 10.5-month validity despite their promise of 12 months. That is probably because the system calculated the purchase time of the pass. If that was 15 August, then the validity is 15 August 2025.
However, you can only book a seat from 25 September, which means a 1.5-month loss. Thankfully, Wizz Air corrected the error and cleared that all passes bought before 25 September will be valid until 25 September next year, Utazómajom wrote.
Termination was challenging
A reader of the website wrote it was hard to terminate his subscription. He could not find a button for that in his Wizz Air account, so he called the helpdesk, surprising the staff with his claim. First, they said he could only cancel after 12 months, so he filed a complaint and received an English email a couple of days later about the termination.
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Great news for passengers: Wizz Air’s pioneer ‘All You Can Fly’ pass expansion on the horizon
The Hungary-based low-cost airline, Wizz Air, released its first batch of “All You Can Fly” passes on 13 August and sold 10,000, the entire batch, in just 48 hours. Now, they are assessing “the option to launch another set”, an airline spokesman said.
All You Can Fly pass success
Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” pass came as a surprise in August, but it seems the initiative met people’s expectations. According to Bloomberg, the Hungarian budget airline sold the first 10,000 passes in 48 hours. That means they collected an extra EUR 5 million from their passengers, which is good news concerning the airline’s financial difficulties.
We reported before that the airline had to cut back its profit expectations due to the problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines. Because of that, dozens of Wizz Air planes are on the ground for fixing, so the company must operate with lower capacities, meaning an unexpected and uncalculated loss despite the compensation the engine producer pays.
The “All You Can Fly” pass allows the company to reach 100% utilisation in their planes. Passengers with the pass can choose from the remaining unoccupied seats on any Wizz Air flight 72 hours before departure. Experts agree the initiative is a generous offer for those who do not care where they travel. For example, they are digital nomads and can work from anywhere in the world.
The pass is valid for a year, and it costs EUR 599 (EUR 499 for early birds). Obtaining an “All You Can Fly” pass allows travelling for an additional EUR 9.99 administration fee on every Wizz Air flight.
Ryanair’s boss, Michael O’Leary, called the offer a “marketing scam”, saying that the passengers would not find available seats 72 hours before the departure.
Budapest Airport welcomes EasyJet flight from Lyon
“The route is now back in operation, with flights twice weekly, offering convenient travel between these two beautiful cities. Lyon, known for its rich history and vibrant culinary scene, is now just a short flight away”, Budapest Airport wrote in a Facebook post.
Another good news is that EasyJet will restart its Budapest-Paris Charles de Gaulle service in October with four flights weekly.
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