Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air, which resumed flights to Israel last week, announced Thursday it will add two new routes in the coming months.
Starting December 1, the airline will operate two weekly flights from Israel to Venice, with one-way fares starting at 450 shekels, excluding luggage or carry-on. The Venice route will join Wizz Air’s existing Israel-Italy flights to Rome, Milan and Naples. Wizz Air will compete with El Al, which also flies to Venice.
On October 28, Wizz Air will launch a direct route from Israel to Thessaloniki, Greece, operating three weekly flights. One-way fares start at 318 shekels, excluding luggage or carry-on. This route will complement Wizz Air’s other Israel-Greece flights to Athens, Crete and Rhodes. Currently, El Al, Israir and Arkia operate flights to Thessaloniki.
Wizz Air has also been in the spotlight in Israel over reports that it plans to establish an operational hub in the country. The Transportation Ministry recently discussed the proposal. If implemented, the hub could reduce costs and lower ticket prices. Israeli airlines have warned the plan could severely harm the local aviation industry.
More flights to Crete
Vacation airline group Kavei Hofsha said it received approvals for 10 additional flights to Crete through Greek carrier Blue Bird Airways by the end of August. The group also reserved hundreds of hotel rooms for late August at top properties, including Creta Maris and AQUILA’s five-star hotels, such as Aquila Rithymna, popular with families for its new eco-friendly water park, and Aquila Atlantis in central Heraklion, as well as Aquila Elounda, an adults-only resort.
Israir adds ninth aircraft
Israir announced the arrival of its ninth Airbus A320, the fifth plane fully owned by the airline as part of its expansion in the Israeli aviation market. The aircraft will be operated by foreign crews until April 2026, while Israir trains Israeli pilots and officers to operate it.
Israir currently operates nine aircraft independently and ten more under wet-lease agreements. In July, the airline carried a record 230,000 passengers in a single month and projects over 2 million passengers in 2025.