Latest news with #Wizz Air
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman Airports invites foreign airlines to start direct flights to Sultanate
Muscat: Oman Airports is making strenuous efforts to attract several international airlines to operate direct flights to the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to boosting revenues and improving operational performance. Engineer Ahmed Said Al Amri, CEO of Oman Airports, said that the company is currently discussing with the budget airline Wizz Air the possibility of operating direct flights from European airports to Oman, whether via the Hungarian capital, Budapest, or other European cities. He indicated that the company is very serious about launching these routes soon. He added in a statement to the Oman News Agency: "Oman Airports is working in cooperation with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Sultanate of Oman to attract China Eastern Airlines to operate direct flights to Muscat, either via Shanghai or Guangzhou.' He stressed that "Oman Airports" is making efforts to launch these flights and is offering them many incentive and promotional packages. He explained that work is currently underway with LOT Polish Airlines to operate direct flights between Muscat and Warsaw, and that the Civil Aviation Authority is in contact with its Polish counterpart to officially open this route. The CEO of Oman Airports also indicated that the commercial team, in cooperation with Oman Air, is studying the Vietnamese market and examining its potential and advantages. Regarding passenger and airline traffic to Salalah Airport, he confirmed that this year has seen a significant increase in arrivals, both during the autumn season via local flights and direct flights from GCC countries, and during the winter season, which attracts direct flights from Scandinavia and Belarus. Regarding Muscat International Airport, he explained that the number of passengers travelling to the airport is constantly increasing compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is some decline in the number of transfer passengers due to Oman Air reducing the number of flights and its fleet. Engineer Ahmed Said Al Amri pointed out that the agreement signed by Oman Airports with Changi International Airport in Singapore to boost commercial and aviation revenues at Oman's airports will provide an opportunity to review all revenues, including aircraft parking rents and the use of hoses at Oman's airports. He also noted that a memorandum of understanding was signed with a Malaysian company to explore development and investment opportunities for lands within the Muscat International Airport.
Khaleej Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'Cheaper than Dubai-Abu Dhabi taxi': How Wizz Air made travel affordable for residents
The taxi fare from Dubai to Abu Dhabi can cost anywhere between Dh250 to Dh300. But for many UAE residents, flying out of the country on Wizz Air was even cheaper. The low-cost airline offered one-way tickets starting from Dh129, depending on the route and season. This made international travel possible for many who had never imagined they could afford it. Now, with Wizz Air announcing that it will stop its Abu Dhabi operations on September 1, 2025, several residents said they are disappointed to lose one of the most affordable ways to travel abroad. For Noel Abraham, a Dubai resident, Wizz Air made travel so affordable that it often cost less than a taxi ride to Abu Dhabi Airport. 'I live in Dubai Investment Park. If I took a taxi to Abu Dhabi Airport, it would cost me Dh200-250. But I often found flights on Wizz Air to places like Baku or other European cities for just Dh180-190, especially with the Discount Club,' said Noel. The flights were basic, with no check-in luggage or meals, but Noel said they were ideal for short trips and weekend getaways. 'It was a way to save and still see the world. For a flight that's 3- 4 hours, we weren't fussed about meals. What we saved on the ticket, we spent at the destination.' The airline's decision to end operations caught many by surprise. 'With winter coming, a lot of people no doubt had plans in place, so this was definitely unexpected,' Noel added. 'Personally, I had planned to visit Georgia this year and Albania and Serbia next year — all on Wizz Air. At that price point, there isn't another low-cost airline like it in the market right now.' For Fahim Armar, a logistics executive living in Deira, Wizz Air gave him the chance to take his first proper vacation after the Covid pandemic and his first trip outside the Gulf. 'When I saw the airfare, I thought it was a glitch,' recalled Fahim, thinking back to April 2022. 'I told a few friends and, surprisingly, everyone said yes. Within a day, we all booked it.' The round-trip ticket to Georgia cost just Dh380. 'That price made it possible for all of us to go. None of us had travelled in a while. We just wanted a break, and this gave us the chance,' he said. Fahim said they kept things simple, no checked bags, no extras, just a short trip with basic tickets. 'We packed light, flew out of Abu Dhabi, and spent a few days in Tbilisi. It wasn't a luxury trip, but it didn't need to be. We ate local food, walked around the city, and enjoyed the change of scene.' Looking back, he says that trip helped him recharge and reconnect with friends. 'It wasn't just about cheap tickets. It was about access to many destinations,' Fahim said. 'It's disappointing to know that future trips like that won't be possible anymore, at least not at that price.' One of the most unexpected travellers on Wizz Air was Muzzammil Sheikh, a taxi driver in Dubai, who took his first international trip to Baku with a friend, thanks to a round-trip airfare of just Dh400. 'I never thought I would ever fly out of the country, especially to a place people in the UAE always talk about,' he said. 'During my cab rides, many passengers would mention trips to Georgia, Armenia, or Baku. I used to quietly listen and think, maybe one day.' That one day came when a passenger shared some travel tips with him. 'He told me it's not as expensive as people think. He even gave me a Dh100 tip and said, 'Use this to book your ticket,'' said Muzzammil. 'I was shocked. That moment stayed with me.' Encouraged by the conversation, Muzzammil spoke to a friend. 'When my friend said yes, we didn't think twice. We booked the flight and decided to enjoy three days, just for ourselves, before leaving for our annual vacation.' It was Muzzammil's first time in a foreign country where he knew no one. 'I flew to Azerbaijan, stayed there for four days, and just explored. We didn't do anything fancy, just walked around, saw the mountains, and ate local food. But it was the happiest moment of my life.' He said Wizz Air gave people like him the chance to experience something they never thought was possible. 'Most people think travel is only for those with high salaries. But this airline proved that even someone like me, a taxi driver, could go see another country.'
Times of Oman
14-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Wizz Air suspends Abu Dhabi operations
Muscat: Wizz Air Holdings PLC ('Wizz Air') today announced a strategic realignment reinforcing the company's core strength with focus on Central, Eastern Europe and select Western European markets. 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, Wizz Air will suspend all local flight operations effective from 1 September 2025 and intends to exit from the joint venture going forward to focus on its core markets,' the airline announced on Monday.
