Wizz Air announced a significant and strategic move to halt its local operations in Abu Dhabi starting September 1, 2025, as it gradually withdraws from its joint venture in the region.
This decision is part of a renewed focus on the company’s core markets in Central, Eastern, and Western Europe.
The company stated that these changes stem from a comprehensive assessment conducted in light of market challenges, operational limitations, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Among the reasons cited: engine reliability issues, harsh weather conditions, geopolitical instability, and regulatory constraints that hindered regular operations and access to key markets.
Wizz Air plans to concentrate its operations in countries like Austria, Italy, and the United Kingdom to enhance profitability and allocate resources to markets with long-term growth potential.
The company’s CEO, Josef Varadi, thanked the employees and emphasized: “We have made significant progress in the Middle East, and we are proud of what we have built. However, conditions have substantially changed, making continued operations challenging. It was not an easy decision, but the right one under the circumstances.”
Passengers who have purchased tickets for flights from/to Abu Dhabi after August 31 will receive notifications with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Other Wizz Air Group flights remain unaffected by the change.
Wizz Air’s decision to end its Abu Dhabi operations comes shortly after announcing its return to Israel on August 8, 2025. Now, it will be interesting to follow how the exit from the Middle East will affect the company’s plans in Israel, both in the scope of routes it will operate from Ben Gurion Airport and in the destinations themselves. Meanwhile, the route to Abu Dhabi, which was expected to be part of the return to Israel, will be canceled, leaving Etihad as the sole airline operating direct flights between Ben Gurion Airport and the UAE capital.
