Wizz Air Shutters Abu Dhabi Ops Amid Regional Instability

LONDON — Wizz Air (W6) is shutting down its 6-year Abu Dhabi operation due to geopolitical instability and airspace closure.

The Hungarian ultra-low-cost carrier group, headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, and whose subsidiaries include Wizz Air Hungary, Wizz Air Malta, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Wizz Air UK, said it would focus on profitable European business.

According to Reuters, the ULLC also blames the move on “the impact of the hot environment in the Middle East had hurt engine efficiency, making it hard to operate its low-cost model.” Additionally, the report claims that the airline was unable to expand in the region as planned because it was unable to obtain the flying rights for particular routes.

Local flights will cease on September 1, 2025. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi's airspace remains operational but is subject to sudden closures and ongoing disruptions due to regional instability.