Wizz Air Expansion in Israel Could Bring New Flights to Budapest

Wizz Air is set to open its Israeli base in the spring, that would more than double the number of destinations and significantly increase seating capacity in the coming years. In addition to Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv, the discount airline would also open a base at Ramon Airport near Eilat, with the first flight between Eilat and Budapest scheduled to take off in March, Airportal.hu reports.

Citing the Israeli business portal Globes, the travel news site reports that according to an agreement between Wizz Air and the country’s Ministry of Transport, the airline will be able to open bases at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Ramon Airport in southern Israel. In line with the agreement, the latter, an airport near Eilat, would initially operate two international routes.

The first flight would take off between Eilat and Budapest in March 2026.

In addition, Wizz Air would also launch domestic flights between Ben Gurion and Ramon airports, which is an unusual move for a foreign discount airline in Israel.

Eilat, Israel. Photo: Pixabay

In the initial period, one aircraft would be stationed at each base, with foreign pilots, while recruitment of local staff would begin. In the longer term, the airline is considering building an Israeli network of around 60 daily flights.

Wizz Air expects to have a year-round presence at Tel Aviv airport and would deploy two additional aircraft in the 2026 summer schedule period.

Wizz Air has reportedly requested peak airport slots during negotiations with the Ministry of Transport in order to compete directly with Israeli airlines.

Israeli airlines have recently protested strongly against its entry into the ultra-low-cost market. Israel’s national airline, El Al, as well as Arkia and Israir, argue that allowing Wizz Air to open a base would cause significant damage to local airlines and undermine national resilience, especially in times of war.

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