Wizz Air

Wizz Air to resume flights to Larnaca and Burgas from Hungary, while popular route faces halt

Wizz Air Larnaca

Wizz Air is soaring back to popular destinations this summer, resuming flights to Larnaca and Burgas from Debrecen International Airport. The Hungarian airline is not just expanding its routes but also making waves in safety, ranking seventh among the world’s top low-cost carriers in 2024. Despite a slight drop from the year before, Wizz Air remains a strong contender in the skies.

Wizz Air resumes popular flights

Hungarian low-fare airline Wizz Air will resume its flights to Larnaca, Cyprus, and Burgas, Bulgaria, from Debrecen International Airport in the summer as part of the implementation of a comprehensive airport development strategy, the National Economy Ministry said. The state as majority owner considers it a priority in 2025 to increase traffic at the airport to the level of the year 2019 or higher by resuming successful earlier flights or launching new ones, the ministry added. The airport’s management aims to add more flights to the summer timetable in future and is also in talks to expand all-year flights, the ministry said.

Wizz Air Larnaca
Photo: depositphotos.com

Malta-Pécs-Munich flights suspended

As Airportal reports, Universal Air has suspended its Malta-Pécs-Munich flights for the winter 2024/25 season, with bookings unavailable until May 2025. The airline had originally planned to operate these flights on Fridays and Sundays, but cancellations and poor communication have led to passenger frustration. Pécs Airport confirmed it had not been officially notified, though the suspension is expected to last until spring. Universal Air, which began in 2022, previously ran three weekly flights on this route during the summer.

Wizz Air among the 10 safest low-cost carriers

Airportal also writes that Wizz Air ranked seventh among low-cost carriers in the 2024 Airline Ratings ranking, slipping from fourth place the year before. The list, which evaluates 385 airlines based on factors like fleet age, safety measures, and audit results, placed Hong Kong Express first, followed by Jetstar Group and Ryanair. The Hungarian airline, despite its strong performance, fell behind competitors such as Ryanair and Easyjet.

debrecen airport wizz air new route (1)
Photo: Facebook/Debrecen International Airport

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

It’s here: Wizz Air to launch new routes from Hungary!

debrecen airport wizz air new route (1)

Wizz Air has announced the addition of two popular routes to its Debrecen schedule starting in 2025. According to a recent Facebook post by Debrecen International Airport, flights to Larnaca, Cyprus, will resume on 1 April, while a new route to Burgas, Bulgaria, will commence on 17 June. Ticket bookings for these flights are now available.

According to HAON, since November 2024, Wizz Air has only operated flights to London from Debrecen. This follows the airline’s decision last autumn to significantly reduce its operations in the city and relocate its Debrecen-based aircraft to Budapest. Previously, Debrecen had up to 19 flights per week across seven routes, including services to Rome, Eindhoven, and Istanbul, which have since been discontinued.

debrecen airport wizz air new route (1)
Photo: Facebook/Debrecen International Airport

In October 2023, the airline hinted at the return of the Larnaca and Burgas routes by the summer of 2025, but exact dates were not disclosed until now. Meanwhile, the Debrecen-London Luton route, which remains highly popular, continues to operate without interruption. This development marks a step forward for Debrecen‘s connectivity, with passengers once again able to explore Mediterranean destinations directly from the city.

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Wizz Air left passengers in Debrecen without compensation, says passenger – airline rejects allegations

Wizz Air oversized baggage

Wizz Air left its passengers stranded in Debrecen, Eastern Hungary, on New Year’s Eve due to a technical fault with a de-icer. However, a passenger has claimed the actual reason was the lack of pilots with sufficient experience to fly in foggy conditions. Furthermore, the passenger alleged that the Hungarian airline failed to compensate those affected. Wizz Air has rejected all such allegations. Meanwhile, the Hungary-based low-cost carrier has announced how many of its planes must remain grounded due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines.

Wizz Air left passengers in Debrecen for one day

According to index.hu, despite assurances, Wizz Air has not compensated passengers left stranded in Debrecen on New Year’s Eve. The publication also noted in its article that British travellers voted Wizz Air the worst budget airline of 2024.

Based on a passenger’s account, Wizz Air’s inability to fly from Debrecen was attributed to a fault in the de-icer. However, one of the three pilots informed passengers that the flight could not depart because the pilots lacked both the authorisation and experience required to operate the aircraft in foggy weather conditions. This pilot also revealed that the aircraft was being used for training purposes.

Wizz Air oversized baggage
Source: depositphotos.com

The Wizz Air crew reportedly assured passengers they would receive compensation for the inconvenience caused by the cancelled flight. However, a reader of Index claimed they had received no such compensation. Despite the late hour, the airline did not provide passengers with taxis or accommodation but promised to reimburse expenses upon submission of invoices.

The passenger further alleged that another Wizz Air aircraft was present in Debrecen on New Year’s Eve but was not used as a substitute. They believe that the de-icer on this second aircraft was functional since it successfully took off for London Luton on New Year’s Day. The passenger accused Wizz Air of providing false information to avoid mandatory compensation, blaming the de-icer fault as a pretext.

In an official statement to Index, Wizz Air confirmed there was an issue with the de-icer and explained that the flight was rescheduled to 1 January due to the unexpected technical fault. However, the airline did not disclose how many of its planes were in Debrecen on New Year’s Eve. Wizz Air stated that since the airport could not repair the de-icer until the following day, the London Luton flight was only able to depart on New Year’s Day.

The airline also confirmed that passengers were entitled to claim compensation for expenses caused by the flight’s rescheduling. However, they noted that only one such claim had been received so far.

wizz air base
Photo: www.facebook.com/Wizz Air

Private jet baulked Wizz Air plane’s take-off

On 2 January, a Wizz Air flight was unable to take off from Tenerife because a private jet blocked the runway, causing delays to the schedules of several airlines. As a result, approximately 180 passengers were unable to travel to Vienna from the Spanish island.

Wizz Air informed Telex that the delayed flight eventually departed on 3 January at 8:34 p.m. The budget airline stated that passengers had been kept informed about the changes and rescheduling options and had been provided with meal vouchers.

At least 40 Wizz Air planes remain grounded until next spring

Due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines, Wizz Air must keep at least 40 of its aircraft grounded for maintenance, according to Airportal. The airline has signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney regarding compensation for the disruptions.

Meanwhile, the Hungarian low-cost carrier is set to receive at least 50 new Airbus A321neo jets by spring 2026, which will increase its seat capacity by 20%. By next spring, 77% of the airline’s fleet will consist of sustainable, low-emission, new-generation A321neo planes.

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  • Wizz Air flight delayed 17 hours after bird strike during Tenerife landing – read more HERE
  • Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest!

Wizz Air flight delayed 17 hours after bird strike during Tenerife landing

tenerife canary islands spain wizz air

A Wizz Air flight, scheduled to depart from Tenerife to Budapest on 1 January 2025, faced a significant delay after the aircraft collided with birds during the landing of the Budapest-Tenerife flight. The W62424 flight was originally scheduled to depart at 7:00 PM local time on the first day of the year but was rescheduled multiple times, eventually leaving Tenerife on 2 January at noon.

The incident and maintenance checks

According to Wizz Air’s communiqué sent to Telex, the plane, arriving in Tenerife from Budapest, struck some birds during its landing. While the landing itself was uneventful, the airline emphasised that necessary maintenance checks rendered the aircraft unfit for immediate return.

A replacement aircraft was sent to Tenerife to transport the stranded passengers back to Budapest. Wizz Air reiterated its commitment to passenger, crew, and aircraft safety, noting that it regretted the inconvenience caused.

Passenger support and compensation

The airline informed affected passengers via email and provided EUR 30 meal vouchers as immediate support. Passengers who arranged their accommodations were promised reimbursement for expenses upon submitting receipts. Wizz Air emphasised its adherence to EU regulations governing passenger rights.

Stranded passengers and online frustration

According to a reader of Telex, around 180 passengers, including families, were left scrambling for solutions, turning to online community groups to secure last-minute accommodations. While some travellers expressed frustration over the situation, others acknowledged the airline’s efforts to mitigate the impact through compensation and support options. Wizz Air apologized for the disruption, reaffirming that safety remains its top priority.

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Wizz Air to restart key routes and address engine setbacks with new agreement

Wizz Air

Wizz Air, Hungary’s budget airline, is set to resume several flights that were paused due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv flights to resume

Starting 15 January, the airline will restart its operations between Tel Aviv and ten other destinations, including Athens, Vienna, Bucharest, Abu Dhabi, Rome, Milan, London, Warsaw, Krakow, and Budapest. This move follows an earlier announcement in October that Wizz Air would suspend its Israel-bound flights until January. However, the airline had already resumed some routes, such as the Tel Aviv-Larnaca service, in December.

Despite this positive development, not all airlines are following suit. Several foreign carriers have yet to announce the restart of their flights to Israel, hesitating amid the current geopolitical climate, NeoKohn writes.

Problems with Pratt & Whitney engines

At the same time, Wizz is addressing technical challenges involving its fleet. The airline recently reached an agreement with Pratt & Whitney, its engine supplier, to tackle issues arising from the detection of microscopic cracks in more than 1,000 engines. As part of the deal, Wizz Air expects to keep around 40 aircraft grounded until the end of its 2026 financial year. The airline will receive commercial support from Pratt & Whitney to mitigate the impact of this setback, including operational assistance and compensation for the direct costs of the grounded planes, Reuters reports.

Wizz Air’s financial performance affected

These challenges have affected Wizz Air’s financial performance. In November, the airline reported a more significant-than-expected decrease in profits for the first half of the year, largely due to the engine issues and the repercussions of the Middle Eastern conflict. Despite these setbacks, Wizz Air remains optimistic. The airline is preparing for the delivery of 50 new Airbus A321NEO aircraft and plans to increase its seat capacity by around 20% in 2026.

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Success: Hungarian Wizz Air among the TOP 3 European Aircraft Operators on Christmas Day

Hungarian Wizz Air Eurocontrol Christmas European TOP 3

Hungarian Wizz Air emerged 3rd on Eurocontrol’s Top 10 European Aircraft Operators on Christmas Day this year. The Hungarian low-cost airline operated 800 flights on 25 December, a 29% rise compared to 2019 Christmas Day.

Eurocontrol shared additional details about the top European aircraft operators and airports on Christmas Day on their official Facebook page. They wrote that the Turkish Airlines Group became the first and very close to their year-to-date daily average. They operated 1,339 flights, a 14% increase compared to 2019. The Air France Group came in second with 922 flights, a 3% decrease compared to 2019 Christmas Day.

wizz air
Photo: www.facebook.com/WizzAir

Ryanair, Wizz Air’s main competitor in the region, did not appear on the TOP 10 list. EasyJet operated 423 flights, a 36% rise, but that number was only enough for the 8th position.

The busiest airport was Istanbul Airport on 25 December. Amsterdam Schiphol came in second, while Paris CDG was third.

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  • Cheap Wizz Air flights dry up after Easter, Budapest flight to Eastern metropolis may return
  • Scuffle at Budapest Airport: police officers forced passengers down from Wizz Air plane

Cheap Wizz Air flights dry up after Easter, Budapest flight to Eastern metropolis may return

wizz air base

Even the cheapest, 10-15-euro-flights of Wizz Air are extremely expensive after the Easter period: you can only buy tickets for 40-50 euros. Experts believe current high prices will fall later. Meanwhile, there is a chance that the Budapest-Astana flight will return in 2025. You may check out the details below.

Will Wizz Air compete with high prices in 2025?

According to Okosutas, a Hungarian air travel news outlet, Wizz Air prices are strange in the first half of 2025. There are many cheap, 10-15-euro flights until the end of March. At the beginning of April, the prices start to increase due to Easter, when demand is higher. However, the Hungarian low-cost airline keeps ticket prices high even after the festivities. As a result, otherwise cheap flights for 10-15 euros cost more than 40 euros, a significant difference.

Okosutas believes there is no reason to believe demand will remain high even after the Easter period. However, the portal thinks the current high prices will decrease soon to 15-20 euros. Consequently, the news outlet does not recommend that anybody buy spring or summer tickets now.

wizz air base
Photo: Facebook/Wizz Air

In the case of Ryanair, the price increase has been gradual from February. However, prices for March and April are also expected to decline in the next few weeks, so it is worth waiting until then.

Meanwhile, some low-cost airlines offer tickets for favourable prices now. One example is the Norwegian. If you book your March or May ticket from Budapest now, you will only have to pay 35-45 euros, which is their lowest price.

Budapest-Astana flight may return next year

According to Kazakh media sources, the direct flight connecting Budapest Airport and Astana may return in 2025. The flight was announced by Kazakhstan’s deputy transport minister. He added that 10 new international routes were planned to be relaunched from Astana in 2025 including Rome, Munich and Budapest. However, he did not specify which airline would carry passengers between the Hungarian and the Kazakh capitals.

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Scuffle at Budapest Airport: police officers forced passengers down from Wizz Air plane

A scuffle broke out at Budapest Airport after some passengers refused to pay extra for their oversized baggage. As we covered in a previous article, Wizz Air takes baggage sizes more seriously again, but the passengers disregarded the staff’s warnings and boarded the plane. Police arrived to solve the situation, and the plane could take off only with a delay.

The scuffle started at Budapest Airport due to oversized baggage.

According to Telex, the reason was the oversized bags of some passengers, which ground handling partner Menzies Aviation refused to approve. However, some passengers of the Budapest-Basel flight did not want to pay the extra charge for their luggage. A scuffle broke out, and the passengers boarded the plane without permission.

Finally, the jet crew forced them down with the help of police officers. However, the plane could only take off with a delay due to the incident, but, thankfully, they arrived in the Swiss town later on Saturday.

Budapest Airport told Telex that Menzies Aviation asked for the help of the police and promised to examine the circumstances with the ground handling service provider.

Hungarian police Budapest Airport Wizz Air scuffle (Copy)
Photo: FB/Budapest Airport

Police do not investigate

The Hungarian police wrote that they had to intervene on Saturday morning because of an argument between employees of the ground handling company and some passengers. They said passengers cooperated with the officers and the crew, and neither of the two sides wanted to press charges. They wrote that there were no ongoing police investigations concerning the issue.

Two readers of Telex wrote that one employee of Menzies Aviation behaved aggressively against a passenger, but it seems nobody wanted to report that to the police.

Telex has not yet received a comment from Menzies.

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Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest!

The Hungarian low-cost airline, Wizz Air, plans to connect Budapest Airport with the charming town in Catalonia. The first flight is planned to depart on 1 April. That means the Hungarian budget airline will expand its network in Spain.

Girona, a charming pearl of Costa Brava

According to turizmus.com, Olívia Harangozó, the communications manager of Wizz Air, presented the airline’s plans for next year concerning Spain at an 11 December press conference. The event was attended by H. E. Ambassador Alfonso Dastis Quecedo and Rocio Martin, Consul for Tourism Affairs representing Spanish Embassies in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. They talked about Spanish traditions in the Advent and Christmas period.

The amazing town of Girona is just one hour away from Barcelona and a perfect starting point to discover Costa Brava. Girona is well-known for its beautiful Medieval architecture, coloured houses standing guard on the banks of River Onyar and vibrant cultural life. Of course, you can also discover the Mediterranean coast or the Pyrenees from there.

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air to fly three times a week

Wizz Air plans to operate three flights between Budapest and Girona from 1 April. The planes will take off on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Ticket prices will start from HUF 12,890 (EUR 31.5).

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air planes carry passengers to nine Spanish cities from Budapest.

According to turizmus.com, the Spanish Tourism Office aims to draw away crowds of tourists from Madrid or Barcelona to places like Girona. As a result, they could ease the negative effect of overtourism.

Wizz Air connects a charming town near Barcelona with Budapest
Photo: depositphotos.com

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Hungarian FM Szijjártó: Hungary to veto EU sanctions against Georgia officials if necessary

Hungary’s government believes the European Union’s proposal to impose sanctions on Georgia’s interior minister and two police officials is “nonsensical and uncalled for”, and will veto the motion if necessary, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said on Tuesday.

Szijjártó meets Georgian FM

Hungary and Georgia are both led by patriotic governments “against which the liberal mainstream has launched serious ideological and political attacks”, Szijjártó said at a joint press conference with Georgian counterpart Maka Botchorishvili, according to a ministry statement.

The minister said Botchorishvili’s first foreign visit was to Hungary, which had come at a time “when both countries constantly have to fight to preserve their sovereignty amid the current extraordinary security challenges”.

Szijjártó, Georgia's FM
Photo: Facebook / Szijjártó Péter

Szijjártó congratulated Georgia’s ruling party on its recent election victory, saying the electorate in the South Caucasus country had “made its will clear”.

“They elected a pro-peace, pro-family, patriotic conservative government, and as it usually happens in a case like this, the liberal mainstream got upset over this,” Szijjártó said. “Because typically, if an election is won by a conservative, patriotic party, the liberal mainstream immediately questions the democratic nature of the political system, and if it’s won by a liberal party, they celebrate the fantastic rule of democracy.”

He said the situation was the same in Georgia, arguing that if the opposition had won “Brussels would be saying that democracy has never been in better shape”. But now, he said, “they’re trying to ignore the will of the people and are questioning the outcome of the election”.

“This is a very repulsive, transparent, and now a very boring game of the liberal mainstream, which we reject,” he said.

Szijjártó expressed his support for Georgia’s European Union aspirations, underlining that Budapest would provide all the help it could to speed up the process, but Brussels’s approach, he added, was alienating the country.

He criticised a recent resolution approved by the European Parliament concerning Georgia, which, he said, took “a humiliating tone towards an entire nation”.

“We reject this… The European Parliament has a pro-war, liberal, left-wing majority which constantly attacks those who speak openly about peace,” Szijjártó said.

He also said that “minutes ago”, Brussels had put forward a proposal to impose sanctions on Georgia’s interior minister and two of its police officials.

“This is nonsensical, outrageous and totally uncalled for,” Szijjártó said. “Hungary firmly opposes placing Georgian government officials on sanctions lists, and if such a proposal is drafted, we will, of course, veto it.”

He encouraged Georgians to continue to stand up for themselves and their national sovereignty.

As regards bilateral relations, he welcomed the progress made on the implementation of a strategic partnership agreement signed two years ago.

Bilateral trade turnover is up 34 percent this year, and Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air remains a market leader in Georgia’s air travel sector, Szijjártó said. Hungarian pharmaceutical exports to Georgia are on the rise, Hungary offers university scholarships to 80 Georgian students each year, and the two countries are working to enable the central European import of green energy, he added.

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Extremely popular Wizz Air pass is back – Unlimited flights for a year!

Wizz Air Airbus A321neo_1 Debrecen base

Wizz Air has reintroduced its highly sought-after “All You Can Fly” pass after the initial launch in August sold out within 48 hours. For EUR 599, the pass offers travellers unlimited access to nearly 800 flights across the airline’s extensive network of 50 countries and almost 200 destinations for a year.

Wizz Air’s popular All You Can Fly pass is back

The Wizz “All You Can Fly” pass is once again available in limited quantities via the airline’s website. The annual membership allows travellers to book flights for a fixed EUR 9.99 fee per journey, excluding baggage and seat selection costs. Passholders can book flights up to 72 hours before departure and enjoy a free first flight as part of their membership, Turizmus.com writes.

Wizz Air Airbus A321neo_1 Debrecen base
Source: Wizz Air

Since its launch, over 90% of users have successfully secured seats on their preferred flights, with popular destinations including Budapest, Abu Dhabi, London, Rome, and Bucharest. On average, members have flown two to three times since joining, with some taking up to 38 trips.

The pass not only provides flexible travel opportunities but also helps optimise Wizz’s flight occupancy by filling seats closer to departure. While membership doesn’t guarantee availability on all routes, it is ideal for frequent flyers seeking spontaneous travel options.

Wizz Air is the only European airline to offer such a program, further enhancing its appeal to adventurous travellers looking to explore its extensive route network while saving on ticket costs.

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Wizz Air resumes popular flights ahead of schedule

Wizz Air 20th anniversary livery new

Wizz Air, the prominent Hungarian low-cost airline, has recently found itself in the headlines for both positive developments and a public relations setback. The company’s plans to resume flights to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport have been widely welcomed, while its advertising practices have come under scrutiny following a ban by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Resuming flights to Israel amid easing tensions

According to Times of Israel, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Wizz Air has announced the gradual resumption of its flights to Israel, a move signalling cautious optimism for the region’s aviation sector. The airline will restart operations on 20 December, with four weekly flights connecting Tel Aviv and Larnaca. Wizz Air has also revealed plans to reinstate additional routes starting 15 January 2025, with further updates expected closer to the date.

wizz air italy
Photo: depositphotos.com

The decision marks a significant turnaround after the airline suspended all flights to and from Israel in October due to the intensifying conflict. In contrast to Wizz Air’s proactive measures, several major airlines, including Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and LOT Polish Airlines, have deferred their Israeli operations into 2025, citing continued security concerns.

Wizz Air has sweetened its return to the Israeli market by offering the first 1,000 tickets for the Tel Aviv-Larnaca route at a promotional price of EUR 50 per one-way ticket. However, the airline remains cautious, closely monitoring the region’s geopolitical landscape before fully restoring its Israeli network.

Wizz Air ad banned over ‘green’ claim

While the airline’s return to Israel has garnered positive attention, Wizz has also faced backlash for its environmental claims in advertising. The UK’s ASA recently banned a Wizz Air advertisement that described the airline as “one of the greenest choices in air travel”, BTN Europe reports. The regulator ruled the claim as misleading, citing insufficient evidence and a lack of clarity on the basis for comparison.

The advert, which appeared in a Google campaign on 9 June 2024, did not include detailed information to support its assertion. The ASA stated that the wording could mislead consumers into believing that Wizz Air had one of the lowest environmental impacts among airlines operating in the UK.

In response, Wizz Air defended its commitment to reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, highlighting investments in alternative fuels and its operation of Europe’s youngest and most carbon-efficient fleet, with an average aircraft age of 4.3 years. The airline also pointed to its 52 grams of CO2 emissions per revenue passenger kilometre as evidence of its environmental efforts. However, this data was omitted from the advert, leading to the ASA’s decision to ban the campaign.

Wizz met by dual challenges

The recent developments highlight the dual challenges Wizz Air faces: capitalising on opportunities for growth while addressing public expectations around transparency and sustainability. As it rebuilds its presence in Israel, the airline must also ensure future advertising aligns with regulatory standards to avoid further reputational damage.

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Wizz Air flight delayed for 18 hours: Passengers stuck in Brussels airport

wizz air italy

A Wizz Air flight from Brussels to Budapest was delayed for more than 18 hours due to a series of technical and logistical challenges. Passengers spent an unexpected night at Brussels’ Zaventem Airport, finally departing on Thursday afternoon.

Passengers on a Wizz Air flight from Brussels to Budapest endured an unusually long delay this week after their flight, initially scheduled for Wednesday evening, was postponed until Thursday afternoon, Telex reports. The airline confirmed that the plane eventually departed at 1:49 PM on Thursday after multiple setbacks.

The issues began when the aircraft, while taxiing to the runway, encountered mud splashing onto it, causing the sensors to issue error signals. This prompted an extensive inspection to rule out potential malfunctions, delaying the flight’s departure.

However, the challenges didn’t end there. Freezing temperatures required the plane to be de-iced before takeoff, but the airport faced a shortage of de-icing fluid, exacerbating the delay further. These complications not only disrupted the Wizz flight but also impacted other operations at Zaventem Airport.

Wizz Air highlighted that passenger safety remained their top priority throughout the ordeal. Although the situation caused significant inconvenience, the airline emphasised its commitment to addressing technical issues thoroughly before allowing the plane to depart.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air flight’s emergency landing in Budapest; Hungarian guest workers’ horrific accident

Wizz Air flight's emergency landing in Budapest

Dense fog over Debrecen in eastern Hungary forced a Wizz Air flight to make an emergency landing in Budapest. Passengers were later transported to Debrecen by bus. Tragically, on the same day, a horrific accident in Austria claimed the lives of three Hungarian guest workers.

Emergency landing in Budapest due to dense fog

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, heavy fog enveloped Debrecen earlier today. As a result, a Wizz Air flight from London, scheduled to land in Debrecen this afternoon, was redirected to carry out an emergency landing in Budapest after circling above the eastern Hungarian city.

András Vaskó, a meteorologist from Hungaromet, stated that the fog was expected to persist until Monday afternoon. A cold front moving through Hungary is anticipated to clear the fog. Such weather conditions are common in Hungary during November when anticyclones dominate, and the weaker autumn sunshine cannot evaporate moisture effectively. Fog often lingers until winds disperse it. We previously detailed meteorologists’ forecasts for the upcoming week in THIS article.

András Radó, a spokesperson for Wizz Air, confirmed to Blikk that the flight was unable to land in Debrecen due to the adverse weather conditions. He clarified that not all Hungarian airports are equipped with the ILS landing system, which assists pilots in poor visibility. Following the emergency landing in Budapest, passengers were transported to Debrecen by bus, and the delay was limited to a few hours.

wizz air italy
Photo: depositphotos.com

Horrific accident in Austria

Three Hungarian guest workers, employed in Austria’s agricultural sector, lost their lives in a tragic accident near Gänserndorf. Their vehicle collided head-on with a tree, *Kronen Zeitung* reported, though the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear, as cited by index.hu.

Two additional passengers were resuscitated at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital with severe injuries. According to Austrian police, the victims were aged 29, 30, and 39. They were en route to work in the carrot harvest in Lower Austria when the accident occurred.

Wizz Air flight's emergency landing in Budapest, Hungarian guest workers' horrific accident
Photo: FB/Freiwillige Feuerwehr Leopoldsdorf im Marchfeld

The tragic incident took place on Friday evening amidst dense fog and darkness on the L9 road towards Breitstetten

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Featured image: illustration, depositphotos.com

Attention! Wizz Air to impose more fines for oversized baggage

Wizz Air oversized baggage

“Focus on increasing baggage sales over the winter season, partly through improved monitoring of carry-on luggage,” Wizz Air states in a presentation about the Hungarian budget airline’s H1 financial results and H2 expectations. The presentation was prepared for the company’s investors. According to a Hungarian air travel news outlet, this could mean Wizz Air plans to increase scrutiny of oversized baggage and impose more fines on passengers with oversized items.

According to okosutas.hu, the statement above can be interpreted as a promise to investors that Wizz Air will boost revenues by introducing stricter monitoring of oversized luggage and levying more fines on passengers. As a result, the airline’s income is expected to rise.

Wizz Air oversized baggage
Source: depositphotos.com

The Hungarian news outlet recalled that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wizz Air enforced much stricter baggage policies. Between 2016 and 2017, passengers were fined for luggage exceeding size limits by as little as 1 mm. Currently, airport staff primarily penalise baggage that is visibly oversized. However, the outlet speculates that a return to the previous, more rigorous approach may be in store.

Wizz Air focuses customer satisfaction

On a more positive note, Wizz Air’s presentation also highlighted efforts to improve the customer experience. The airline has stated its aim to “proactively mitigate the impact of cost inflation across our network” and implement a ‘Customer First’ initiative during the less busy winter season. This initiative focuses on reducing delays and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

Wizz Air oversized baggage
Source: depositphotos.com

Despite these reassurances, Okosutas.hu wryly wonders if the stricter baggage fines will be issued with a friendly smile from Wizz Air staff.

Read also:

  • Wizz Air expands horizons: Direct flights from Budapest to 71 airports in 32 countries this winter! -read more HERE
  • Ryanair launches new flight between Budapest and stunning Spanish region near Valencia

Wizz Air challenged Romanian competitor but will not be happy for this decision

wizz air italy

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Wednesday dismissed a challenge by Hungary’s Wizz Air of European Commission clearance for close to EUR 2m in state aid for Romanian airline TAROM.

The EC had cleared the state aid, in the spring of 2022, to compensate for damage suffered because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The court ruled that the aid was permitted and that the EC had correctly assessed the proportionality of the aid. It rejected Wizz Air’s arguments that the EC had not taken into account previous rescue aid granted to TAROM and that it had underestimated the competitive advantage obtained by TAROM.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air expands horizons: Direct flights from Budapest to 71 airports in 32 countries this winter!

wizz air

As part of its 2024/25 winter schedule, Wizz Air will provide direct flights from Liszt Ferenc International Airport to 71 airports across 32 countries, including five new destinations: Genoa, Gran Canaria, Salerno, Memmingen, and Marrakech.

Wizz Air to operate more than 600 routes this winter

The airline has announced that it will operate more than 600 routes, making over 28 million seats available from the end of October through March, which represents its largest winter offering to date.

Wizz Air is introducing over 40 new routes and will commence operations from the new Salerno airport. It will also resume flights from the Chișinău airport and expand its offerings to destinations such as Cairo (Sphinx Airport), Sharm El Sheikh, Marrakech, and Stuttgart from more European locations.

Wizz Air launches new flight to German city Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany. Photo: despositphotos.com

During the recent summer schedule, the airline carried nearly 40 million passengers across about 200,000 flights. Despite recent geopolitical, weather, and traffic challenges, Wizz Air reported a flight performance rate of 99.3%, one of the highest in the industry.

71 airports in 32 countries to be accessible from Budapest

From Budapest, travellers will have access to 71 airports in 32 countries during the winter schedule, including the five new destinations mentioned earlier: Genoa, Gran Canaria, Salerno, Memmingen, and Marrakech.

Starting in December, Wizz Air will increase its flight frequency to London, with two daily flights departing from Budapest to London Gatwick. This will result in a total of 33 weekly flights between the two cities, representing over a 25% increase compared to the summer period.

The airline has also introduced several new services, including the “All You Can Fly” program, expanded access to the Wizz Multipass subscription, and an updated Wizz Discount Club Premium package. Additionally, payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay are now accepted in the Wizz Air app, and Revolut cards are accepted on board the aircraft.

Carbon emission one of the lowest at Wizz Air

According to the company, the average carbon dioxide emissions per passenger kilometre for its flights were 52.6 grams over the past 12 months, making it one of the lowest in the industry.

As previously reported by AIRportal.hu, the airline is beginning to test the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in collaboration with Airbus, leading the way in compliance with the European Union’s Refuel EU regulations set to take effect in 2025.

András Szabó, Wizz Air’s network development manager, stated, “We are proud to have served over 50 million passengers in Hungary and hope our new routes will encourage even more people to travel. We continue to work on enhancing our operational performance and customer experience with our expanding, modern fleet while adhering to the industry’s highest sustainability standards.”

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Wizz Air expands flights to a beloved Eastern European city for the holiday season

Brasov, Romania DRacula's castle Hungarian Days festival Wizz Air

Wizz Air’s direct flight from Budapest to Brașov (Romania), launched in the summer, has quickly gained popularity, prompting the low-cost airline to boost its service frequency over the holiday season. Between December 17 and January 11, the airline will increase the number of flights heading to Budapest.

Wizz Air to fly the Budapest-Brașov route more frequently

According to information shared by the local international airport and reported by Maszol on Monday, Wizz Air will offer additional flights between Budapest and Brașov during the holiday period. Instead of the usual three flights per week, passengers can now look forward to four weekly departures—on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—from 17 December through 11 January.

Brasov, Romania DRacula's castle Hungarian Days festival wizz air
Brassó (Brașov) in Transylvania, Romania. Source: depositphotos.com

Wizz Air inaugurated this route on 2 July, emphasising its significance for both cities and countries alike. This new connection primarily enhances access to the Szekler Land region from Hungary’s capital, as the city is closer to several Szekler settlements than other airports with direct flights to Budapest.

Maszol highlighted data from recent months that clearly reflects the route’s strong demand, with 5,000–6,000 monthly travelers between the two cities and occupancy rates exceeding 80%.

The international airport of Brașov, which opened in June 2023, is Romania’s first greenfield airport since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Its establishment was heavily backed by local councils in the Szekler Land, who view the airport as a vital link connecting the region’s Hungarian-speaking communities with the wider world.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com