Wizz Air, Europe's third-largest budget airline, offers essential extra choice for British travellers, according to travel correspondent Simon Calder. The carrier provides affordable access to destinations not served by easyJet or Ryanair, such as three cities in the Caucasus: Baku, Kutaisi and Yerevan. Calder notes that Wizz Air has taken him from Budapest to the Azeri capital and from Luton to the main city in central Georgia. Next month, he will fly from Milan to the Armenian capital, and in June, Wizz Air will launch a nonstop service from Luton to Yerevan.
Luton: The Heart of Wizz Air's UK Operations
The first Wizz Air flight in 2004 landed at Luton from Katowice in southern Poland. Luton quickly became Wizz territory, even though easyJet's headquarters are there and Ryanair has a smaller presence compared to Stansted. This made Luton an ideal base for London, Europe's largest aviation market. However, not all airports have been successful; Cardiff, Doncaster and the Maldives have fallen off the route map as the Hungarian carrier continually adjusts its network.
Long-Haul and Niche Routes
Wizz Air stands out with its long-haul budget flights on fresh Airbus A321neo aircraft, configured with 239 seats. Calder recalls a comfortable flight from Gatwick to Jeddah, covering almost 3,000 miles, with low emissions and fuel burn per passenger. The airline also offers niche routes, such as from Maastricht to Tuzla in Bosnia, with fares as low as €25 (£22) on May Day. These long legs and ever-changing network differentiate Wizz Air from easyJet and Ryanair.
Challenges and Setbacks
Wizz Air has faced significant challenges. Brexit added costs and complexity, including the need for a standalone UK airline, and reduced demand on routes between the UK and eastern Europe. The carrier's post-Covid expansion into Ukraine was thwarted by Russia's invasion in February 2022. Commitments to Israel and Jordan were impacted by the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. Self-inflicted missteps include a short-lived Norwegian domestic network. Additionally, part of its Airbus A320 fleet is grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues.
Market Position and Summer Prospects
In 2025, Ryanair carried 200 million passengers, easyJet 95 million, and Wizz Air 70 million, all with flawless safety records. Despite being behind, the grounded fleet may prove a blessing in disguise this summer. Demand is softer than expected; for example, the Luton-Mykonos route has fares as low as £55 in July and August, typically three times higher. Calder has booked a July trip to Mykonos, appreciating the benefits Wizz Air brings as a competitor. He concludes that travellers should be grateful for those pink planes.
