Wizz Air secures Kuwait rights, UAE unit to return to Russia

Ryanair in talks about Sarajevo base

Aegean, Lufthansa, Wizz Air bid for N. Macedonia subsidies

North Macedonia’s Ministry of Transport and Communications has said it received bids from three carriers - Aegean Airlines, Lufthansa, and Wizz Air - for subsidies designed to encourage the launch of new routes to its two airports: Skopje and Ohrid.

During the public call for bids, which lasted from December 20 last year to January 26, the three airlines “submitted documentation” and “a commission composed of members from several state institutions will evaluate the submitted offers in the coming period,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its website on January 27.

The subsidies, which are “in accordance with the policies of fair and competitive conditions according to the regulations of the European Union,” are “aimed at encouraging and developing air traffic” in the country, as well as “the quality development of civil aviation, establishing more competitive and affordable ticket prices,” and opening new destinations for local residents.

Transport minister Blagoj Bochvarski announced the call on December 20, saying at the time that funds would be allocated to attract new airlines...

Wizz Air Malta adds first A320-200

Wizz Air Malta (W4, Malta International) has taken delivery of its first A320-200, which is also its only A320ceo Family aircraft.

The 4.6-year-old 9H-WDA (msn 8327) was delivered to Wizz Air UK (W9, London Luton) and was operated by the British unit of Wizz Air Holdings through December 7, 2022. It was ferried from its former base at London Luton to Katowice the day after and, following re-registration in Malta, resumed scheduled operations on behalf of Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) on December 20.

The Maltese unit, which is the youngest Wizz Air AOC and operates under an EASA certificate, also operates three A320-200Ns and twenty-three A321-200NX. The fleet includes eight A321-200NX delivered directly to Wizz Air Malta, while the remaining aircraft were transferred from sister carriers.

The Hungarian LCC plans to eventually transfer all of its southern European bases to the unit, which will continue to operate alongside the legacy Hungarian AOC and the British unit. Wizz Air is also a joint venture...

Hungary's Wizz Air closes Bacau, Bari, Cardiff bases

Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) has announced the closure of its bases at Cardiff (UK), Bacau (Romania), and Bari (Italy), citing as reason a challenging macro-economic environment.

The Hungarian budget carrier will close its base at Bacãu Airport in Romania on January 10, followed by its UK subsidiary Wizz Air UK (W9, London Luton) ceasing all operations at Cardiff permanently on January 25, while Bari will be closed on February 16.

Wizz Air UK already reduced its schedule from Cardiff over the winter by cutting nine routes and will now suspend its two remaining winter routes to Milan Malpensa (Italy) and Bucharest Henri Coanda (Romania). Last year, Wizz Air UK said it planned to increase its operations from Cardiff again in the spring and - as part of a long-term commitment to the airport – had already loaded its summer 2023 schedule. However, Wizz Air UK Managing Director Marion Geoffroy said: “The challenging macro-economic environment and high operational costs including fuel mean that unfortunately, we are...