Wizz Air Says Goodbye: No More Flights from Vienna in the Future
The Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air is giving up its location in Vienna. After a "strategic review," the base will be closed in two phases, the company announced on Wednesday. Accordingly, on October 26, 2025, two aircraft will be withdrawn from Vienna and the connections to Bilbao and London-Gatwick will be discontinued; the remaining three jets and the other routes will follow on March 15, 2026.
Wizz Air in Vienna for years
Wizz Air has been operating the Vienna base since 2018 and currently stations five Airbus A321neo there, serving 28 routes in 20 countries. The airline cites significantly increased airport charges, taxes, and ground handling costs in Vienna, as well as the strategic focus on core markets in Central and Eastern Europe, as reasons for the withdrawal. Operating from Vienna is "no longer compatible" with the ultra-low-cost model, it says.
Vienna Airport: Wizz Air's decision "very regrettable"
Vienna Airport described Wizz Air's decision to withdraw from the Vienna location as "very regrettable". It could also have an impact on passenger numbers at Vienna Airport, it was said in a response. At the same time, the airport pointed out that airport charges are the same for all airlines and will be reduced by up to 5 percent as of January 1, 2026. In the international competition for locations, cost burdens such as the state flight tax play a major role - for example, this does not exist in Austria's neighboring countries Hungary and Slovakia.
Bratislava and Budapest as alternatives for Wizz Air customers
Austrian customers are expected to continue being served by Wizz Air through the nearby base in Bratislava as well as through Budapest. Affected passengers would be directly informed and could either receive a refund in the form of money or "WIZZ credits" (120 percent of the ticket price) or rebook on alternative Wizz Air flights. The Agency for Passenger Rights (apf) called on affected customers to assert their rights. "If a WizzAir voucher is not practical, as the airline will no longer depart from or land in Vienna in the future, travelers have the right to a refund via bank transfer," said the state service center.
254 Wizz Air Employees Affected
The company announced support for the workforce - such as transfers to other locations and alternative positions within the group. Wizz Air employs 254 people at the Vienna location. "This was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure the long-term competitiveness of our company," explained Mauro Peneda, CEO of Wizz Air Malta. "Wizz Air is committed to supporting all affected employees during this transition phase, including through relocations to other Wizz Air locations and - where possible - through alternative positions within the company."
Intense Price Competition of Wizz Air with Other Low-Cost Airlines in Vienna
Wizz Air came to Vienna in 2018 after the insolvency of the Air Berlin subsidiary Niki and, like other low-cost airlines, tried to fill the market gap. Wizz Air engaged in intense price competition with Ryanair subsidiary Laudamotion, EasyJet, and British Airways subsidiary Level. The manager responsible for Vienna at Wizz Air said in 2019: "It's a tough game, whoever loses goes bankrupt or goes home."
(APA/Red)
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