Wizz Air UK is set to launch its new base in Cardiff from June 17th after the Welsh Government officially lifted its ban on international travel. The airline will initially operate flights to eight destinations from Cardiff, with a ninth destination planned from November. Wizz Air announced its new Cardiff base last year.
Nine destinations announced
Wizz Air has confirmed the launch of its new base in Cardiff by announcing nine destinations from the Welsh airport. From June 17th, the airline will operate flights to Larnaca, Corfu, Heraklion, Faro, Alicante, Lanzarote, Palma, and Tenerife. The final destination, Sharm el-Sheikh, will launch in November.
The airline will operate return flights to Sharm el-Sheik twice a week on Tuesday and Saturdays from November 2nd. Flights to Larnaca and Corfu will also operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays from June 19th. Heraklion, Tenerife, and Lanzarote will be served three times a week. Finally, Wizz Air will operate return flights on Thursdays and Sundays to Palma, Faro, and Alicante.
In a statement, Wizz Air UK managing director Owain Jones commented,
“With the re-start of international travel from Wales, we’re excited to be planning the start of Wizz Air UK’s new base at Cardiff Airport in June, just in time for the holiday season. We’ve been busy recruiting new colleagues, with the first training course in Cardiff already completed, and Wizz Air UK’s Cardiff team is looking forward to welcoming customers on-board Wales’ new hometown airline.”
Lifting travel restrictions
Wizz Air's announcement has come the same day the Welsh Government has eased travel restrictions. Wales is now allowing international travel to resume for leisure purposes. Tickets have immediately gone on sale. The airline also offers COVID-19 insurance cover and additional WIZZ Flex options allowing passengers to cancel their flight up to three hours before departure.
Wizz is also updating its online destination map online, allowing customers to check entry requirements for each of Wizz Air’s destinations. The hope is that by providing flexible booking options and making entry requirements clear, people based in Wales and Southwest England will feel confident booking summer holidays.
Wizz Air expansions versus reality
Just last week, Wizz Air announced another new base; Rome. Although Wizz Air has previously operated flights to Rome Fiumicino, it has recently made a serious step up in its planned operations. The airline is launching 32 new routes from its Italian base.
And the airline isn’t satisfied with just Rome and Cardiff. According to expansion plans, the airline will serve at least 24 new airports in 2021. As well as new destinations, Wizz Air is also offering new dates. The airline followed in the footsteps of Ryanair and released its summer 2022 schedule targeting people who are perhaps too concerned to travel this year.
However, despite its rather impressive plans, Wizz Air believes it is unlikely that all its current plans will pay off. The airline is reading the publics' desire to get away as soon as travel restrictions lift and is positioning to be ready to take advantage of a travel surge when it comes. However, as restrictions are ongoing, no one can say for sure if or when a summer travel boom might happen. As such, CEO József Váradi has expressed doubts that all of the airline’s plans will go ahead.
Even if Wizz Air isn’t able to complete all of its intended expansions over the coming months, it certainly has big plans for the future.
What do you think of Wizz Air’s expansion plans? Do you enjoy flying with Wizz Air? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.