The Hungary-headquartered ultra-low-budget European carrier, Wizz Air announced on Thursday it plans to launch 20 new routes from key European hubs to Saudi Arabia starting in December, as part of a planned major expansion in the kingdom.
The planned expansion aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global connectivity and support the kingdom’s ambitions to triple its passenger traffic by 2030, as part of its Vision 2030 programme.
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Flight schedule
The airline will operate scheduled services from Budapest in Hungary, Bucharest in Romania, Catania, Milan, Naples, Venice and Rome in Italy, Larnaca in Cyprus, Sofia in Bulgaria, Albania’s Tirana and Vienna in Austria to the Capital, Riyadh as well as Jeddah and Dammam in the Arabian Peninsula’s largest country, with fares starting from as low as $55.
| Route | Operating Days | Flights start | Fares from* |
| Budapest – Riyadh | Monday & Friday | 09/01/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Budapest – Jeddah | Tuesday & Saturday | 10/01/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Budapest – Dammam | Thursday & Sunday | 20/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Bucharest – Riyadh | Monday & Thursday | 09/01/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Bucharest – Jeddah | Tuesday & Saturday | 10/01/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Catania – Riyadh | Tuesday & Saturday | 18/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Larnaca – Riyadh | Monday | 17/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Larnaca – Jeddah | Saturday | 08/07/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Larnaca – Dammam | Tuesday | 04/07/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Milan – Jeddah | Tuesday & Saturday | 03/12/2022 | 54.99 EUR |
| Milan – Riyadh | Thursday & Sunday | 20/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Naples – Riyadh | Tuesday | 18/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Rome – Riyadh | Tuesday & Saturday | 06/12/2022 | 54.99 EUR |
| Rome – Jeddah | Wednesday & Saturday | 11/01/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Sofia – Riyadh | Thursday & Sunday | 20/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Tirana – Dammam** | Monday & Friday | 17/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Venice – Riyadh | Thursday & Sunday | 20/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Venice – Jeddah | Tuesday & Saturday | 18/04/2023 | 54.99 EUR |
| Vienna – Riyadh | Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday | 19/12/2022 | 54.99 EUR |
| Vienna – Jeddah | Tuesday & Saturday | 13/12/2022 | 54.99 EUR |
A Saudi-based airline
“Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting countries in the world for aviation portraying an eclectic mix of travel opportunities with unmissable destinations, countless exciting attractions, and a thriving cultural scene,” Wizz Air CEO, Jozsef Varadi said, noting that the announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost the kingdom’s tourism and aviation sector growth.
Under the agreement signed with the government in May, the carrier is also considering launching a Saudi-based airline, Reuters reported.
“I see the Kingdom as a long-term strategic market for Wizz Air where we will continue to innovate and carry the flag of low-cost flying, for the benefit of Saudi residents and visitors, as well as the country’s diversifying economy,” he added.
A new gateway
On his part, the CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin said the announcement is one of the largest in the world, adding that it opens a new and affordable gateway for visitors from Europe to explore the world’s most exciting new destination.
Over one million additional travellers are forecasted to visit Saudi Arabia next year, thanks to the planned expansion.
