Wizz Air axes flights from massive Middle East hub forcing customers to rebook
Kristina Beanland
Published July 14, 2025 5:09pm Updated July 15, 2025 8:22am
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Wizz Air is stopping the flights after four years (Picture: Getty Images)
If you were planning on heading to Abu Dhabi this autumn, you might want to look a little closer at your travel options, as Wizz Air is set to stop all flights to and from the city.
From 1 September 2025, the budget airline will no longer serve the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi is known as the ‘Orlando of the Middle East’ due to its many theme parks, including Warner Bros World and Ferrari World. Disney is set to open a new resort there in 2032.
It’s been hailed as a ‘delight’ be Lonely Planet, who praised its ‘sublime landscapes… vibrant food scene and kind-hearted people.’
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But it’s bad news for travellers who had already booked to head out to Abu Dhabi for some winter sun. Wizz Air say existing bookings won’t be honoured — but customers shouldn’t find themselves out of pocket.
In a statement to Metro, the carrier said: ‘Passengers with existing bookings beyond 31 August 2025 will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
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‘Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents.’
If you’re confused about a booking, Wizz told us that the following routes to and from Abu Dhabi are affected:
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Amman, Jordan
Belgrade, Serbia
Bucharest Baneasa, Romania
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Yerevan, Armenia
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Baku, Azerbaijan
Alexandria (Borg El Arab), Egypt
Sohag, Egypt
Kutaisi, Georgia
Larnaca, Cyprus
Medina, Saudi Arabia
Chisinau, Moldova
Sofia, Bulgaria
Cairo (Sphinx), Egypt
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tirana, Albania
Varna, Bulgaria
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Beirut, Lebanon
Gabala, Azerbaijan
Salalah, Oman
The airline confirmed that no other flights to other destinations will be impacted.
Sea and skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi alongside a beach and turqouise blue waters.
The UAE capital is becoming popular among families (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Wizz Air has been operating out of Zayed International Airport for four years, but says it is now focusing on ‘Central and Eastern Europe and select Western markets’ instead.
The carrier added that the decision was made due to ‘a comprehensive reassessment of market dynamics, operational challenges, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East.’
Travel across the region was thrown into chaos in June, after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran.
Qatar temporarily closed its airspace and hundreds of flights were cancelled and diverted, with many redirecting to the UAE hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
József Váradi, 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 for 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.’
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