Wizz Air to connect Hungary with a new part of the world
Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air could start a new direct route between Hungary and Pakistan. Wizz Air also has ambitious plans to enter the Indian market.
Hungarian budget airline’s subsidiary, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi could have obtained the appropriate permits to fly between Budapest and the Pakistani capital Islamabad, Budflyer reports.
Direct flight two years in the making
Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, visited Pakistan in April 2021 and met with then-Pakistani FM, Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The two politicians pledged to strengthen business cooperation between the two countries.
As Budflyer writes, at the time, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi was part of the Hungarian delegation, and he held talks with the Pakistani Minister of Transport.
The plan for 2021 was to open a direct route between Hungary and Pakistan and connect the two capitals, Budapest and Islamabad.
Two years later, the plan could finally be realised, as according to Budflyer, the Pakistani authorities could have granted the necessary permits to Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. The starting date of the flight, which is set to connect Budapest with its easternmost destination with a low-budget carrier is still unknown.
Further plans
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is also set to launch flights to India soon, as one of the main goals for the company is to tap into the growing low-cost market of the Indian subcontinent.
Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air, also mentioned during the March CAPA Airline Leader conference in Budapest that the Hungarian airline is planning to enter the Pakistani and Indian markets. As index.hu reports, in order to meet the high demand in the Middle Eastern region, the airline is further expanding its current fleet with nine new Airbus A321neo planes.