Wizz Air has announced the closure of its base in Abu Dhabi from September 1, 2025 due to geopolitical instability, technical difficulties and regulatory barriers. Find out why the company is leaving the UAE market, what will happen to passengers and how the Middle East air transport market will change

After six years in the UAE, budget airline Wizz Air has officially announced the end of its operations in Abu Dhabi from 1 September 2025. The decision was the result of a strategic reassessment, as well as the impact of geopolitical instability, regulatory barriers and technical limitations. Passengers are promised refunds or alternative travel options.

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Why is Wizz Air closing its Abu Dhabi base?

Wizz Air, a European low-cost carrier with a primary focus on Central and Eastern Europe, opened a base in Abu Dhabi in 2020. The airline had ambitious plans: creating a fleet of 100 aircraft and expanding routes to South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. However, the reality turned out to be much more complicated. Among the main reasons for the exit from the market:

- Geopolitical instability – conflicts in the region have repeatedly led to the closure of airspace, disruption of schedules and a decrease in travel demand.

- Engine problems – in the hot climate of the Middle East, engines wear out faster, which increases costs and complicates maintenance.

- Limited access to key markets – despite initial promises, Wizz Air failed to obtain rights to fly to India and Pakistan.

- Regulatory barriers – local competition (Air Arabia, flynas, Jazeera Airways) and restrictions on opening new routes did not allow for scaling.

- Financial pressure – the company's shares lost about 62% of their value in two years, in particular due to technical problems with the aircraft.

What’s next for the airline?

Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the company is “getting back to the grind” – its core business in Europe. In the coming years, the company plans to deploy most of its new aircraft (280 orders from Airbus) on European routes, where competition from Ryanair and other budget carriers remains high but predictable.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi achieved notable results in 2024: over 19,000 flights, 3.5 million passengers and popular subscription packages (MultiPass, All You Can Fly). However, even these successes could not compensate for the combination of risks and operational problems.

Impact on passengers

The airline promised that all customers with reservations after August 31, 2025, will receive:

- Emails with offers for refunds;

- Alternative routes or rebooking, if possible;

- Customer service support.

Those who purchased tickets through agents or third-party services should contact them directly.

Important! The closure of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi does not affect other Wizz Air group flights, including in Europe, where operations continue as usual.

What does this mean for the air transport market?

This exit demonstrates the difficulties faced by low-cost carriers in the Middle East region. Despite favorable geography and growing demand, factors of instability, complex regulatory framework and climatic conditions can nullify even the most ambitious plans.

For Wizz Air, this is a chance to rethink its long-term priorities. And for travelers, it is an occasion to plan alternative routes in advance and check the status of their reservations for autumn 2025.

If you planned a flight with Wizz Air via Abu Dhabi, check your email or contact airline support to clarify further actions.

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As a reminder! The EU has backed a law that will ban airlines from charging extra for hand luggage. We've already told you what will change for passengers when the new rule comes into effect, who it affects, and how budget carriers are reacting.

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