Wizz Air Plans New Israel-Budapest Route Launch in March 2026
Wizz Air is gearing up to introduce its inaugural route connecting Israel to Budapest, slated to begin in March 2026. This move comes after the airline reached agreements with Israeli officials to establish two new operational bases within the country.
According to a report from an Israeli business news source, Wizz Air’s expansion plan includes the setup of bases at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Ramon Airport (ETM). The first route from Ramon to Budapest is anticipated to kick off in March 2026.
In this arrangement, Wizz Air is set to operate two daily international flights from Ramon, with crews remaining overnight to support local base operations. Moreover, the airline plans to facilitate domestic services between Ben Gurion and Ramon airports.
At Ben Gurion, Wizz Air will station aircraft year-round and is poised to increase its fleet by adding two additional aircraft during the summer season of 2026.
During discussions with Israel’s Ministry of Transport, Wizz Air has requested access to optimal takeoff and landing slots during peak hours. This strategy aims to enable the airline to go head-to-head with local Israeli competitors, as highlighted in the report.
Initially, each base will feature one aircraft operated by foreign pilots, while local crew recruitment is in the pipeline. The airline has a long-term vision to expand its operations to approximately 60 daily flights across Israel.
Israeli Minister of Transport Miri Regev has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) to initiate a 30-day hearing to address concerns voiced by local airlines regarding the establishment of Wizz Air’s new bases.
Additionally, Wizz Air had sought permission to operate flights from Israel to non-EU destinations, including the Balkans and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, this request has since been retracted.
As Wizz Air prepares for this ambitious venture, what do you think the impact will be on local Israeli airlines?
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