Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) will open a base at Oslo Gardermoen and launch domestic Norwegian routes effective November 5, signalling its increasing focus on domestic markets less affected by travel restrictions.
The Hungarian low-cost carrier will base two A320-200s at the Norwegian gateway and use them to launch services to Trondheim, Bergen (4x daily each), and Tromsø. Norway will be the second country, after Italy, in which Wizz Air will ply domestic routes.
Chief Executive József Váradi said the move was the "first step" in Wizz Air's planned expansion in Norway, where it will challenge the SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian duopoly. While Norway is Wizz Air's eleventh largest market of origin with a 2.6% share in its total frequencies, the airline currently serves the country with aircraft based elsewhere.
"Once we are in the market, we will get more appetite for it and do more. Ultimately our long-term goal is to become one of the most significant airlines in the country," Váradi said.
According to the ch-aviation capacities module, the Norwegian domestic market is currently split between SAS (43.4% market share by capacity) and Norwegian (29.6%). Widerøe (WF, Bodø) has a 26.1% market share but operates predominantly thinner, regional routes, often subsidised by the government.
The airline also announced that it has reached a sales/lease-back deal with CDB Aviation covering six A321-200Ns. The aircraft will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020 (four units) and the first quarter of 2021. The lessor already owns four A321-200s operated by the low-cost carrier, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows.
