WIZZ AIR LAUNCHES ITS FIRST EVER FLIGHTS FROM BUDAPEST AND BUCHAREST TO THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

The new routes to Riyadh will provide affordable point-to-point travel opportunities and enhance connectivity between the European Capitals and the Kingdom

Riyadh: Wizz Air, Europe's fastest growing and globally most environmentally sustainable* airline, officially inaugurated two new connections between Budapest and Riyadh and Bucharest and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The new routes will be served twice a week. Tickets can be purchased on Wizz Air's website and via the WIZZ app from as low as 24.99 EUR*.

Soon after Wizz Air has launched flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam from Austria and Italy at the end of 2022, the airline further strengthens its presence in Saudi by inaugurating two new routes from Hungary and Romania to Riyadh. The new routes will boost the growing Saudi Arabian tourism sector by bringing a new era of affordable, hassle-free and direct travel opportunities to Riyadh from the European capitals.

The routes between Budapest and Riyadh and Bucharest and Riyadh are a part of a line-up of twenty-four new routes to Saudi Arabia announced in recent months by Wizz Air , underpinning the airline's commitment to supporting the country's growing tourism sector by bringing more than one million passengers to the Kingdom in the coming year. The airline's growing presence is in line with the Vision 2030 Programme , a strategic and ambitious goal to triple passenger traffic in Saudi Arabia by 2030.

Robert Carey, President at Wizz Air stated :“It is with our great pleasure that we start the year 2023 with inaugurating two new connections from Budapest Airport and Bucharest Airport to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These two routes will unlock an eclectic mix of travel opportunities between the European Capitals and the Kingdom, benefiting from the immense historical, artistic and cultural heritage that the Saudi Kingdom has to offer its visitors. Furthermore, with the two additional routes on top of the recently announced ones within our network to the Saudi Kingdom, Wizz Air once again confirms and strengthens its commitment to Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030, where it keeps innovating and will carry forward the banner of low-cost flying for the benefit of Saudi residents and visitors and the country's diversifying economy. I am pleased to announce that we now fly from Riyadh to four different destinations in Europe.”

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “Saudi's partnership with Wizz Air continues to go from strength to strength. Already one of the largest partnerships in the world, the announcement of two new connections from Budapest Airport and Bucharest Airport to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ensures Saudi will remain an exciting destination for Europeans to visit and explore. The announcement also re-affirms our commitment to an accessible and affordable Saudi experience.”

Khalil Lamrabet, Chief Executive Officer of the Air Connectivity Program: “By connecting Budapest and Bucharest with the Kingdom's capital, we are continuing to break new ground in Saudi-European travel. The opening of these new air routes is a result of the joint efforts of Wizz Air and the Saudi tourism and aviation ecosystems' stakeholders. Working together as one, we are forging a new path forward to ensure that millions of travelers can enjoy the variety of experiences that both Riyadh and the rest of the Kingdom have to offer. As the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, we are working closely with all stakeholders to support growth into the Kingdom's booming tourism market and stimulate further inbound tourism through air connectivity.”

Wizz Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in May 2022. The MoU is supported by the Air Connectivity Programme , a Ministry of Tourism initiative aimed to enhance the development of the Saudi Tourism Sector. It reflects a shared vision between the parties on the potential Wizz Air could bring to the Kingdom with its incredibly low fares to stimulate tourist demand, thereby making a significant contribution to Saudi Arabia's planned growth.

Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, is a modern metropolis with popular landmarks and must-see architecture. A hub of global business, the administrative and economic capital of the country is developing rapidly, with a thriving cultural scene complemented by wonderful green spaces. With a fascinating centuries-old history, Arabia's roots can be traced in atmospheric souqs and compelling museums with ancient architecture including Diriyah, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Budapest is a majestic city with an aquatic heart bisected by the Danube River. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the exceptional beauty of the hilly Buda district with the pulsating nightlife of Pest. The“Queen of the Danube” is also steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Due to the picturesque setting, and its architecture it is nicknamed“Paris of the East”.

Bucharest, with its stunning landscape, rich culture, and historical heritage, offers diverse experiences, fine cuisine, and a variety of leisurely activities. Romania's capital and commercial center is renowned for its thriving nightlife, wide boulevards lined with trees, magnificent Belle Époque buildings, and its iconic landmark, the massive, communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building. Bucharest was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name means“joy” in Romanian.

*One-way price, including administration fee. One carry-on bag (max: 40x30x20cm) is included. Trolley bag and each piece of checked-in baggage is subject to additional fees. The price applies only to bookings made on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app. Number of seats at indicated prices are limited.

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