Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to cease operations from Sept 1
This decision follows a comprehensive reassessment of market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
As a result of the suspension of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operations as part of this strategic realignment, Win Air will suspend all locally based flight operations effective September 1, 2025, and intends to exit from the Joint venture going forward and will focus on its core markets, the official statement said.
While popular for offering ultra low fares to popular tourist destinations,Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has faced increasing operational challenges over the past year, including, engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which have impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency; geopolitical volatility, which has led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as wreaking consumer demand; regulatory barriers, which have limited the company's ability to access and scale in key markets.
These factors have significantly impacted the viability of Wizz Air's ultra-low-cost model in the region and its ability to deliver profitability In line with its core European operations. Win Air will intensify its focus on its core Central and Eastern European markets, as well as select Western European countries such as Austria, Italy and the UK, the company said.
This strategic realignment to core markets will enable the company to redeploy resources to regions with greater long-term potential for sustainable growth and profitability.
Jersof V.iradi, CEO of Wizz Air, said, "We have had a tremendous Journey in the Middle East and are proud of what we have built. I thank our highly dedicated employees for their relentless efforts and commitment to developing the WIZZ brand in new and dynamic markets. However, the operating environment has changed significantly. Supply chain constraints, geopolitical Instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances. We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air's customer proposition and build shareholder value."
Passengers with existing bookings beyond August 31, 2025, will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The above suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group.
Wizz flight to Salalah
Oman Airports recently welcomed the launch of a new direct international route operated by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, linking Salalah Airport with Abu Dhabi International Airport.
According to a statement by Oman Airports, the low-cost carrier will operate seven weekly flights between the two cities, marking a significant addition to the growing connectivity of the Dhofar Governorate, particularly during the popular Khareef season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
an hour ago
- Observer
Iceland volcano erupts for ninth time since 2023
Reykjavik: A volcano erupted on Wednesday in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest, weather authorities said, the ninth eruption to hit the region since the end of 2023. Live video feeds showed lava spewing out of a fissure in the ground, with the Icelandic Met Office saying that it began just before 4:00 am (0400 GMT). Broadcaster RUV reported that the nearby fishing village Grindavik had been evacuated, as had the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famed tourist spot. The previous eruption to hit the area was in April. When the first volcanic eruption first hit the area in late 2023, most of Grindavik's 4,000 residents were evacuated. Since then, almost all of the houses have been sold to the state, and most of the residents have left. Volcanoes on the Reykjanes peninsula had not erupted for eight centuries when in March 2021 a period of heightened seismic activity began. Volcanologists have warned in recent years that volcanic activity in the region had entered a new era. RUV said the latest eruption was not expected to impact international flights. A volcanic eruption in another part of Iceland in 2010 caused worldwide travel chaos as the ash spewed into the atmosphere sparked airspace closures in Europe. Iceland is home to 33 active volcanic systems, more than any other European country. It is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a fault in the ocean floor that separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates and causes earthquakes and eruptions. Often referred to as a land of ice and fire, the North Atlantic island nation with its many glaciers and volcanoes has now experienced a dozen eruptions since geological systems on its Reykjanes peninsula reactivated in 2021. Magma forced through the earth's crust opened a massive fissure of length between 700 m and 1,000 m (0.4 miles and 0.6 miles), Iceland's meteorological office said, with the first signs of the eruption giving scant warning. "(It does) not threaten any infrastructure at this time," the office said in a statement. "Based on GPS measurements and deformation signals, it is likely that this was a relatively small eruption." Flights at Keflavik airport in the capital of Reykjavik were not affected, its web page showed. The Reykjanes eruptions have not yet posed a threat to Reykjavik, nor ejected large volumes of ash into the stratosphere, so air traffic has not been disrupted. Experts have said the eruptions in the area could recur for decades, or even centuries. The fissure eruptions, as the outbreaks are known, are characterised by lava flows emerging from long cracks, rather than from a central crater. AFP and Reuters
Observer
10 hours ago
- Observer
Trump gives Russia 50 days to make Ukraine deal
Washington - US President Donald Trump told Russia on Monday to end its Ukraine war within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions, as he laid out plans for new infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. Trump said he was "very, very unhappy" with Vladimir Putin, underlining his insistence that his patience had finally snapped with the Russian leader's refusal to end the deadly conflict. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent," Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Republican added that they would impose "secondary tariffs" targeting Russia's remaining trade partners, seeking to cripple Moscow's ability to survive the already sweeping Western sanctions. Russia's top trading partner last year was China, accounting for about 34 percent, followed distantly by India, Turkey and Belarus, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service. Trump and Rutte also unveiled a deal under which the NATO military alliance would buy billions of dollars of arms from the United States -- including Patriot anti-missile batteries -- and then send them to Ukraine. "This is big," said Rutte, as he touted a deal aimed at easing Trump's long-held complaints that the US is paying more than European and NATO allies to aid Ukraine. Germany, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom were among the buyers helping Ukraine, added the NATO chief. "If I were Vladimir Putin today and heard you speaking... I would reconsider whether I should take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously," said Rutte. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he had spoken with Trump and was "grateful" for the arms deal. - 'Very long time' - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin would play a "decisive role" in the new weapons plan. But EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Trump's sanctions deadline was too far into the future. "Fifty days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians every day," she said. Trump attempted a rapprochement with Putin shortly after starting his second term, having campaigned on a pledge to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours. His pivot towards Putin sparked fears in Kyiv that he was about to sell out Ukraine, especially after Trump and his team berated Zelensky in the Oval Office on February 28. But in recent weeks, Trump has shown increasing frustration with Putin, as the Russian leader stepped up missile and drone attacks to record levels instead of halting his invasion. Washington has also U-turned from an announcement earlier this month that it would pause some arms deliveries to Kyiv. Trump said his wife Melania had helped change his thinking about Putin, a man for whom he formerly expressed admiration. "I go home, I tell the First Lady, 'you know, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation,'" Trump said. "And she said, 'Oh really? Another city was just hit.'" He added of Putin: "I don't want to say he's an assassin, but he's a tough guy." - 'Better late than never' - US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who are pushing a bipartisan bill on Russia secondary sanctions, praised Trump's "powerful" move. "The ultimate hammer to bring about the end of this war will be tariffs against countries, like China, India and Brazil, that prop up Putin's war machine," they said in a statement. Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv on Monday for what Zelensky called a "productive meeting." One Ukrainian soldier deployed in the war-scarred east of the country, who identified himself by his call sign Grizzly, welcomed Trump's promise of fresh air defense systems. "Better late than never," the 29-year-old told AFP. Russian forces meanwhile, said on Monday they had captured new territory in eastern Ukraine with the seizure of one village in the Donetsk region and another in the Zaporizhzhia region. Its forces also killed at least three civilians in the eastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions on Monday, Ukrainian officials said. In Kyiv, Zelensky also proposed a major political shake-up, recommending economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko take over new prime minister, and appointing current premier Prime Minister Denys Shmygal as defense minister. burs-dk/des/jgc By Danny Kemp in Washington with Victoria Lukovenko in Kyiv and Florent Vergnes in eastern Ukraine
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Families flock abroad as summer travel surges
Muscat – With schools closed for the summer and temperatures rising across the sultanate, a growing number of Omani and expatriate families are heading overseas for vacations. Travel agencies in Muscat have reported a marked increase in international bookings in recent weeks, with destinations such as Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, United Kingdom and several European cities proving popular. For many, these trips combine leisure with cultural experiences or long-postponed family reunions. Muscat International Airport has seen a steady rise in passenger traffic since early May. Officials said weekends are witnessing peak volumes. They urged travellers to ensure their documents are in order and arrive early. A spokesperson of Oman Airports confirmed the increased passenger numbers and stated that teams are working to ensure smooth operations and minimise delays. According to local travel consultants, bookings have gone up significantly compared to last year. Families are planning earlier and choosing destinations that are family-friendly, have cultural appeal and straightforward visa procedures. Travel advisor Ahlam al Busaidi noted that Turkey, the UK and Southeast Asia are among the top choices for Omani families this year. Expatriate residents are taking advantage of the summer break to visit home. Many are combining holidays with family visits after long separations. Suresh Nair, an Indian expatriate travelling to Kerala with his wife and children, said he was excited to meet relatives after nearly three years. 'My children are looking forward to seeing their grandparents,' he said. Despite the enthusiasm, ticketing agents have noted concerns over rising airfares and accommodation costs. In some sectors, ticket prices have gone up by as much as 30%. Travel advisor Fatma al Lawati asked families to book early and consider flexible dates. 'It's important to check passport validity, visa requirements and ensure that all travel documents are in order,' she said. Authorities and travel consultants urged travellers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure and stay informed about visa and health guidelines at their destinations. Through its Travel Health Service, Ministry of Health has issued guidelines to support families travelling with children. The advisory recommends packing suitable clothing for the destination and preparing children in advance, especially for long flights or drives. If a child experiences ear pain during flight, breastfeeding, eating or chewing gum may help relieve the discomfort. The ministry also advises maintaining regular sleep cycles to ensure children get adequate rest during travel.
