Wizz Air has pushed back the launch of six Abu Dhabi routes to January 10, 2027. The airline points to new EASA security guidance, the ongoing closure of Iraqi airspace and rising costs.
The delayed routes are Budapest, Katowice, Larnaca, Sofia, Krakow and Cluj-Napoca. Budapest and Katowice were due to start on October 25, the other four on October 27. In total, the routes were to operate 20 flights a week.
With Iraqi airspace closed, the Airbus A321neo has to fly longer routes and make technical fuel stops. Together with more expensive fuel, this makes the flights unprofitable for now.
Wizz Air has also suspended Budapest—Amman until October 25, after EASA put Jordanian airspace on its do-not-operate list.
The six routes were part of the airline’s winter plan for the Middle East, announced in September: 12 routes and 49 weekly flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Amman, with fares from €24.99. Abu Dhabi was to get the biggest share of that network.
Wizz Air had stopped flying to the region earlier this year. Its European-operated Middle East services were suspended in late February because of the regional conflict and airspace disruption. Before that, in September 2025, the airline closed its locally based Abu Dhabi subsidiary and left the joint venture with ADQ.
Passengers booked on the affected flights will be contacted about their options.