Latest news with #Europe-facing
Time Out Dubai
6 days ago
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Wizz Air suspends several routes from the UAE – here's why
If you're planning a summer escape from low-cost airline Wizz Air, there are some major updates you need to know before you book. The budget carrier is making big changes to its network – and several routes out of the UAE capital are being grounded. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has officially halted ticket sales to Belgrade and Sarajevo, with final flights departing on July 19 and August 31, respectively. These are just two of a number of routes seeing cuts or suspensions as part of a wider operational shake-up. While some of these cuts are temporary, others may be permanent – and Wizz Air hasn't ruled out additional changes. The Airbus A321neo fleet, which services many of the routes, is facing maintenance challenges, particularly in hot and dusty regions like the Middle East. Other affected routes include: Varna – last flight July 14 Tirana – last flight July 20 Kutaisi – last flight July 29 Krakow – paused from July 29 to September 19 Budapest – paused until September 1 Vienna – paused until September 21 Katowice – paused until October 26 Astana & Samarkand – paused until November 1 Sofia and Cluj – already discontinued Credit: Zayed International Airport The airline, which has been the sole operator between Abu Dhabi and both Belgrade and Sarajevo, says the shake-up is partly due to ongoing engine inspection issues. Wizz Air has launched a 24-hour hotline for impacted travellers (+361 677 7530), especially those who booked through third-party sites, which may not have shared passenger contact info with the airline. If your outbound flight is still running but your return leg is cancelled, you may still qualify for a full refund. Launched in 2021, the Abu Dhabi to Belgrade and Sarajevo services were among Wizz Air's key Europe-facing routes, with the Belgrade leg alone flying over 82,000 passengers last year. So if you've got travel plans with Wizz Air this summer, double-check your itinerary – and maybe keep a Plan B on standby. A Wizz Air Abu Dhabi spokesman said: 'In the last few days, we have taken several steps to reach and inform the passengers concerned, but more than two-thirds of them did not book their tickets directly with the airline (but through an online travel agency). 'Therefore, the contact details of these passengers are not available to Wizz Air, as these online ticketing portals do not forward the contact details of the passengers to the airlines. 'If your outbound flight is operating as scheduled, but your return flight (inbound) is cancelled, you may request a full refund for your outbound flight by contacting our regular call centre.' There's an official Wizz Air 24-hour hotline for those affected by UAE flight cancellations at +3616777530 (international roaming charges apply for the Hungary-based number). Travelling soon? Travel experts reveal cheapest day and month to book flights How to save big ahead of your next holiday New Emirates flights from Dubai for 2025 Will you be jetting off soon? 11 new flydubai flights you can book in 2025 Your holiday plans sorted
Time Out Abu Dhabi
6 days ago
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Wizz Air has suspended several flight routes from Abu Dhabi – here's why
If you're planning a summer escape from Abu Dhabi with Wizz Air, there are some major updates you need to know before you book. The low-cost carrier is making big changes to its network – and several routes out of the capital are being grounded. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has officially halted ticket sales to Belgrade and Sarajevo, with final flights departing on July 19 and August 31, respectively. These are just two of a number of routes seeing cuts or suspensions as part of a wider operational shake-up. Other affected routes include: Varna – last flight July 14 Tirana – last flight July 20 Kutaisi – last flight July 29 Krakow – paused from July 29 to September 19 Budapest – paused until September 1 Vienna – paused until September 21 Katowice – paused until October 26 Astana & Samarkand – paused until November 1 Sofia and Cluj – already discontinued While some of these cuts are temporary, others may be permanent – and Wizz Air hasn't ruled out additional changes. The airline, which has been the sole operator between Abu Dhabi and both Belgrade and Sarajevo, says the shake-up is partly due to ongoing engine inspection issues. The Airbus A321neo fleet, which services many of the routes, is facing maintenance challenges, particularly in hot and dusty regions like the Middle East. Wizz Air has launched a 24-hour hotline for impacted travellers (+361 677 7530), especially those who booked through third-party sites, which may not have shared passenger contact info with the airline. If your outbound flight is still running but your return leg is cancelled, you may still qualify for a full refund. Launched in 2021, the Abu Dhabi to Belgrade and Sarajevo services were among Wizz Air's key Europe-facing routes, with the Belgrade leg alone flying over 82,000 passengers last year. So if you've got travel plans with Wizz Air this summer, double-check your itinerary – and maybe keep a Plan B on standby. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: 'In the last few days, we have taken several steps to reach and inform the passengers concerned, but more than two-thirds of them did not book their tickets directly with the airline (but through an online travel agency). 'Therefore, the contact details of these passengers are not available to Wizz Air, as these online ticketing portals do not forward the contact details of the passengers to the airlines. 'If your outbound flight is operating as scheduled, but your return flight (inbound) is cancelled, you may request a full refund for your outbound flight by contacting our regular call centre.' There's an official Wizz Air 24-hour hotline for those affected by UAE flight cancellations at +3616777530 (international roaming charges apply for the Hungary-based number). Summer in Abu Dhabi This is *exactly* how long summer will last in Abu Dhabi this year No complaints here The best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi Big on flavour, low on cost 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
