Wizz Air reshapes Hungarian travel trends, opens new base in Italian city

A significant reshaping of Hungarian travel habits has emerged in Wizz Air’s passenger data, with Italy overtaking the United Kingdom as the airline’s most important destination market from Hungary.

According to figures shared by Wizz Air and reported by AIRportal, the change reflects both post-Brexit effects and evolving travel behaviour among Hungarian passengers.

The UK, which had led passenger traffic for years, has now fallen behind Italy after a dramatic change over the past four years.

Italy surges ahead, UK loses top position

In 2021, the United Kingdom was the dominant destination for Hungarian travellers. However, by 2025, Italy has taken the lead, with passenger numbers increasing sixfold during the period.

Other major markets such as Spain and Germany have maintained stable positions among the most popular destinations, while Romania has climbed to fifth place, reflecting the airline’s expanding network in Transylvania and beyond.

Visiting family remains the key travel driver

Wizz Air data shows that visiting friends and relatives continues to be the primary reason for travel, accounting for nearly half of all passengers.

This segment has seen the most notable changes, with Italy replacing the UK as the leading destination for family-related travel.

Business travel has also grown significantly, with Turkey showing particularly strong momentum, rising to fourth place among key markets.

Growing demand for city breaks and new destinations

Short weekend city trips are becoming increasingly popular among Hungarian travellers. In response, Wizz Air has expanded its schedule with more urban destinations, particularly in France, Romania, and Türkiye.

The airline has also added new Adriatic routes, including Dubrovnik and Zadar, reflecting rising demand for Mediterranean short breaks.

Meanwhile, traditional holiday destinations remain strong. Spain continues to be the most popular summer destination for Hungarians, with Greece and Egypt also seeing increasing demand.

Egypt, driven by destinations such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, has now become the sixth most popular destination overall.

Record summer expected for Hungarian operations

The airline is preparing for a record-breaking summer season in Hungary, with ambitious capacity expansion plans.

Wizz Air will operate 15 new routes, base 19 aircraft in Budapest, and offer nearly three million seats during the peak travel season.

This expansion reflects continued strong demand and evolving travel patterns among Hungarian passengers.

Further expansion planned in Italy

Wizz Air’s growth strategy is particularly strong in Italy, where it continues to expand its presence.

The airline has announced plans to open a new base in Turin in 2026, marking its seventh operational base in the country. The expansion will include new aircraft, additional routes, and increased capacity across Europe.

From Turin alone, Wizz Air plans to operate 16 routes to eight countries, Travel Mole reports.

What it means for Hungarian travellers

The latest developments show a total transformation in European travel patterns, with family links, affordability, and network expansion shaping passenger flows.

For Hungary, the growing dominance of Italy shows a long-term shift in mobility trends, as well as the continued importance of low-cost carriers in connecting Central Europe with Southern Europe.

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