Wizz Air is permanently withdrawing from Abu Dhabi and putting an end to its expansion in the Middle East.
The Hungarian ultra-low-cost carrier announced the closure of its Middle East subsidiary, which operates a fleet of 12 Airbus A321 jets, including next-generation A321neos, at the London Stock Exchange.
The carrier’s locally based flights to the UAE capital will cease in September, just four years after their launch. Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the move was driven by “harsh operational realities” and a shifting geopolitical landscape.
He added: “The operating environment has changed significantly. Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances.”
The airline said the move was also due to reliability issues in hot, harsh climates that repeatedly grounded aircraft and disrupted schedules.
Was the Abu Dhabi hub successful?
Launched in 2021 as the UAE’s first true ultra-low-cost carrier, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi once promised to shake up the regional aviation market, competing against established players like Air Arabia and Flynas.
In 2024 alone, the subsidiary operated more than 19,000 flights, carried 3.5 million passengers, and contributed 25% of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s point-to-point traffic.
It pioneered budget-friendly campaigns such as Dh79 promotional fares and introduced the region’s first flight subscription models, including Wizz MultiPass and All You Can Fly, which sold out twice within 48 hours.
Destinations ranged from Alexandria, Cairo, and Amman to even more far-flung hubs like Almaty, Bishkek, and Yerevan, but despite early growth, the Abu Dhabi base struggled to maintain profitability amid mounting regional instability.
Wizz Air shares rose 1.84% on the London Stock Exchange after the announcement, reflecting investor approval of the carrier’s renewed focus on its core network.
Why is the airline leaving?
The airline operated amid geopolitical volatility, with wars in the wider Middle East leading to repeated airspace closures, reroutes, and weaker consumer demand.
Gulf tourism markets also caused economic strain. Oman’s state-owned tourism operator, Omran Group, reported a 22 percent profit drop in 2024, with hotel revenues halving due to weaker visitor numbers. The Gulf state is now attempting to revive its tourism sector with a $31 billion investment plan by 2040.
The region’s tourism and aviation sectors have faced challenges from wars and conflict spillovers, airspace closures, and regulatory uncertainty. While Gulf heavyweights like Emirates and Qatar Airways remain resilient, smaller regional tourism operators and foreign entrants like Wizz Air have struggled to adapt.
What happens to Wizz UAE passengers?
Wizz Air now plans to redeploy its Abu Dhabi fleet to core European hubs, increasing capacity in Romania, Poland, and other profitable destinations.
“We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air’s customer proposition and build shareholder value,” said Wizz Air CEO Váradi.
Following the announcement, customers booked on flights beyond 31 August 2025 will be contacted directly for refunds or alternative arrangements.
Wizz Air reassured travellers that the suspension will not affect its broader European network, where it plans to double down on high-performing markets in Eastern Europe, the UK, Austria, and Italy.
