Wizz Air has announced plans to close its base in Vienna (VIE), Austria, gradually phasing out operations between October 2025 and March 2026.
The Hungarian low-cost carrier said the decision followed a strategic review of its Austrian operations, which have faced intense competition and rising costs in recent years.
On October 26, 2025, Wizz Air will withdraw two aircraft and discontinue its routes to Bilbao (BIO) and London-Gatwick (LGW). The remaining three aircraft and all other services from Vienna will cease on March 15, 2026, marking the full closure of the base.
Passengers booked on affected flights will be contacted directly via the WIZZ app or by email, with options for rebooking or refunds in WIZZ credits.
Wizz Air also pledged to support its Vienna-based employees, offering relocation opportunities and alternative roles elsewhere in its network.
Financial and operational headwinds
Wizz Air launched its Vienna base in 2018 with ambitions to challenge Austrian Airlines, Ryanair’s Lauda Europe, and easyJet in the Austrian market.
The retreat from Vienna comes as Wizz Air faces mounting pressure to cut costs. In June 2025, the airline’s stock slumped after disappointing financial results fueled investor concerns about rising expenses.
Operational challenges have compounded the situation. The carrier’s all-Airbus fleet has been hit by prolonged maintenance issues affecting Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines, grounding dozens of aircraft across Europe.
The Vienna decision follows another recent divestment: on September 1, 2025, Wizz Air wound down its Abu Dhabi operations after more than five years. The airline cited the impact of extreme weather on engine performance, combined with geopolitical risks and regulatory hurdles, as key factors behind its decision to exit the UAE.