Filenews 30 November 2025 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
Wizz Air is preparing to launch new routes to and from Cyprus, says the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), József Váradi. In an interview with "F", he emphasizes that Cyprus is an excellent market for Wizz Air, as it has managed to highlight its tourism dynamics worldwide and become an attractive destination.
According to Mr. Váradi, Wizz Air is considering strengthening Cyprus' connectivity with other countries, such as Portugal, Spain, North African countries, such as Morocco and Egypt.
At the same time, the company will proceed with moves to reward passengers. As he said, despite the increased costs faced by the aviation sector, Wizz Air procures newer technology aircraft, which are more efficient, have more seats and have lower costs. He emphasizes that Wizz Air's goal is to keep fares low and what it saves to be returned to consumers through affordable prices. In addition, Mr. Váradi notes that any additional incentives for airlines to operate in Cyprus would be welcome. At the same time, the CEO of Wizz Air also refers to the challenges that the company will face next year and to its broader strategic planning.
Wizz Air has been present in Cyprus for 15 years. In fact, the company has set up a base at Larnaca Airport. Are you satisfied with the results of the passenger traffic?
Absolutely. We are very satisfied. We have now learned the market and the decision to establish a base in Larnaca proved to be extremely important. Today, in Cyprus, we have four aircraft and we are looking at additional opportunities for the company's growth in the future. We are on the right track, we are growing significantly and we continue to examine and evaluate new possibilities for growth in the coming years. Therefore, what you can expect from us is more capacity (seats on the aircraft), more routes and possibly more aircraft registered in Cyprus.
This year, Cyprus recorded an increase in tourist arrivals. Wizz Air has also seen a steady increase in its passenger numbers, recently reaching the milestone of 10 million passengers. What does this growth show about the market outlook?
Cyprus is an excellent market for us. The island has managed to highlight its tourism potential internationally, offering a safe environment. Cyprus has managed to manage the geopolitical issues in the wider region quite effectively. Despite the challenges, passenger traffic at Larnaca Airport is up about 20% before the coronavirus season. This clearly shows that Cyprus has become even more attractive worldwide. It is a destination that continues to attract visitors. I also notice that Cypriots are travelling more than in the past. It is therefore important to be able to respond to the growing needs and demand from consumers.
Are there any plans to further expand Wizz Air's route network to and from Cyprus in the coming years?
Absolutely. We continue to launch new routes and our growth is not only limited to strengthening the base at Larnaca Airport but also to increasing inbound flights. Wizz Air has a total of 36 bases throughout its network, which allows us to enhance connectivity with Cyprus, not only through the routes departing from Larnaca, but through the passenger traffic we will bring from other countries. So, yes, you have to expect that we will continue steadily and that we will announce new routes, just as we have done in the past.
The company's strategy
How does Cyprus fit into Wizz Air's overall strategy for the Mediterranean?
When we decide to establish a base in a country, this is a commitment. This is a structural commitment and long-term investment, as we recruit staff and assume a higher level of responsibility, both towards the organization and the local market. We consider our people to be our most important asset.
Cyprus fits perfectly into our strategy for the Mediterranean and the overall growth perspective of Wizz Air. This year we will carry a total of 72 million passengers and, at the growth rate we predict, in 2028 we are expected to reach 100 million passengers. We believe that Cyprus can have a significant share in this future dynamic.
Are you planning to connect Cyprus with more destinations in southern Europe or the Middle East?
I think so. We are seriously considering this and, as we were discussing recently with the delegation of the airport operator, the countries of the South have gained a lot of momentum. Destinations such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, but also some North African countries, such as Morocco, Egypt and others, are showing a good course and we are steadily strengthening our presence in these markets. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to consider how we can connect Cyprus even more with these markets in the near future.
Do you think that the increase in passengers choosing Wizz Air is mainly due to the low-cost model? Are you thinking of offering something back to passengers through new programs or reduced fares?
We are constantly striving to increase the productivity and efficiency of our business operations in order to contain costs, despite strong inflationary pressures in energy, labour and infrastructure.
At the same time, we are implementing two main moves:
- We are converting our fleet into newer technology aircraft, which are more efficient and lower cost.
- We are increasing aircraft capacity, from 180 Airbus A320 seats to 239 Airbus A321 seats, thus reducing production costs.
In this way, we strive to offset cost pressures through productivity, innovation and fleet renewal. Our goal is to keep fares low so that what we save goes back to consumers, keeping prices affordable and encouraging more people to fly with Wizz Air.
Have geopolitical developments, such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Israel, affected the company? How did you manage these crises?
Yes, both of these events have had a significant impact on our operation. When the war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, we had a lot of exposure in both the Ukrainian and Russian markets. With the outbreak of the conflict, we had to withdraw from these markets and distribute our presence to other markets.
The same happened in Israel, where at that time we were the largest air carrier of inbound passengers. We have withdrawn our presence and reallocated flights to ensure continuity of our operation. In total, these two events affected about 25% of our total capacity. Of course, this created a shock to the system and required extensive rearrangement.
Today, the capacity reinvested after Ukraine is fully mature, while Israel has largely recovered, with our flights operating normally. Despite the short-term turbulence, I believe that the crises are now under control and I am satisfied with the way we have managed them.
Tourist traffic and relations with Hermes Airports
Do you think that Cyprus will continue to benefit from an increase in tourist traffic?
I definitely believe it. Cyprus is in a good position, as with GDP growth globally people want to see growth translated into personal spending. Travellers are eager to fulfil their dreams and travel more, and Cyprus is expected to benefit from this momentum.
The country's geographical location, security, and the country's membership in the European Union create all the necessary ingredients for further success. That is why I believe that the tourism potential of Cyprus will remain significant in the coming years.
Do you think that additional incentives should be given to airlines operating in Cyprus?
I think we have a good cooperation with the airport operator, Hermes Airports, which is moving in two directions. Firstly, it invests in improving infrastructure and increasing airport capacity, both on the runway and in the terminal.
Second, they are looking at ways to commercially encourage airlines through incentives. Of course, the more incentives are offered, the more we will be willing to consider them and act accordingly. So, any additional incentives would be welcome. However, I believe that the airport operator is already working in a fairly constructive way in this direction.
The challenges for 2026
What are the challenges you expect the company to face in 2026?
We are still facing challenges due to the situation with the engines. We are affected by the manufacturer's recall of engines and still have certified aircraft grounded due to engine inspections. This is an issue that will affect our activity over the next two years. In 2026, the impact is expected to be significant.
So, managing this problem remains a challenge. However, at the same time, we are constantly seeing new opportunities. We have focused a lot on Central and Eastern Europe, while we are significantly strengthening our presence in Cyprus. We have significantly developed the market in Israel, we have opened new routes, and even a new base in the Caucasus, in Armenia. We are doing very well in this region, not only in Central-Eastern Europe, and we are satisfied with the results. We believe that we can achieve even more in the future.
