'Cheaper than Dubai-Abu Dhabi taxi': How Wizz Air made travel affordable for residents

Khaleej Times

5 days ago

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.'