Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) and Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) have independently announced plans to open their own respective bases at Venice Marco Polo airport starting in Spring/Summer 2022.

In a statement, Ryanair Holdings said it would invest USD300 million into the base wherein three B737-8-200s will be used to launch 18 new routes throughout Summer 2022, including:

Currently, Ryanair connects Venice Marco Polo with Catania, Bari, Naples Capodichino, Palermo International, Barcelona El Prat, and London Stansted.

"The activation of the new Ryanair base in Venice strengthens the presence of the carrier in our territory, accelerating the resumption of traffic started at the beginning of June with the opening of the Treviso base. For the SAVE Group, this represents the confirmation of the centrality of the airports managed in the development strategies of the leading carriers, which will speed up the recovery of pre-pandemic traffic volumes. Thanks to the three aircraft that will be based at Marco Polo, the offer of outgoing destinations aimed at our basin users will expand, thus connecting more and more niche destinations that will enrich the network of destinations served by the airport, " SAVE Group Commercial Director, Camillo Bozzolo, said in a statement.

Wizz Air will base two A321-200Ns at the northern Italian gateway which will be used to launch 16 new routes from early March 2022, including:

Currently, Wizz Air connects Venice Marco Polo with Catania via a 1x daily service.

"I am delighted to announce the establishment of the Wizz airbase at Venice Marco Polo Airport. This step represents another critical milestone for WIZZ and ours Venetian passengers. With our 16 new services to 9 countries, in addition to our 10 existing services to 7 countries, we demonstrate our continuous commitment to Italy while we grow our national and international network. The two new planes Airbus A321neo, modern and environmentally sustainable and 50% quieter, will do that. Wizz Air protects the gems of Venice and surrounding areas. Our crew does not see the time to welcome the first passengers aboard our planes with a smile, "Wizz Air Group President, Robert Carey, said in a statement.

At present, Ryanair maintains a base at nearby Venice Treviso with 23,058 of the 29,561 weekly seating capacity accounting for 78% of the traffic at the airport. Contrarily, its Hungarian competitor serves Venice Treviso with a weekly total of 6,503 weekly seats, accounting for 22% of weekly seating capacity. In addition, both airlines serve Verona in the Veneto region.