Wizz Air dogodine povezuje tri poljska grada s Rijekom

Wizz Air, the Hungarian-based low-cost carrier, is set to significantly expand its network to Croatia, introducing three new routes to Rijeka (Croatia) starting June 9 next year. These services will connect Rijeka with Katowice, Lublin, and Gdansk in Poland. The Katowice and Lublin routes will operate twice weekly, while the Gdansk service will run three times a week, continuing through the summer 2026 season. Tickets are already available for purchase, signaling Wizz Air's commitment to bolstering its presence in the Adriatic region. The airline also secured slots for flights between Warsaw Chopin (Poland) and Rijeka, though service has not yet been scheduled.

This route expansion coincides with a notable shift in Wizz Air's long-term fleet strategy. The airline recently reported selling three new Airbus A321neo aircraft and significantly reducing its long-haul Airbus order from 47 to 11 units. Further adjustments, as reported by Aviation Week, include deferring the delivery of 88 A321neo aircraft to the early 2030s and converting 36 A321XLR orders to the standard A321neo model. These strategic moves indicate a deliberate slowdown in capacity expansion, with Wizz Air projecting an annual growth rate of 10 to 12 percent through the end of the decade.

The impact of this slower growth trajectory is expected to become apparent approximately a year from now, following the delivery of aircraft already committed. Wizz Air reiterates its ambition to transition to an all-Airbus Neo fleet by 2029, phasing out its previous generation A320 and A321 aircraft. Despite reporting a strong peak season characterized by fewer delays and disruptions, the airline remains focused on cost-reduction initiatives. These efforts aim to mitigate business risks and support sustainable, profitable growth amidst evolving market dynamics.

In a move to streamline operations and reinforce its core market focus, Wizz Air closed its Wizz Air Abu Dhabi subsidiary and its Vienna (Austria) base in September. This strategic realignment underscores the airline's renewed emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe, positioning itself to capitalize on regional demand while optimizing its operational footprint. The new Rijeka routes align with this sharpened geographical focus, leveraging established markets for sustained expansion.