Wizz Air eyes TLV, ETM bases, to launch Israel-Budapest route in March 2026

Wizz Air plans to launch its first route from Israel to Budapest in March 2026 after securing agreements with Israeli officials to create two new bases in the country. 

According to Israeli business news outlet Globes, the Hungarian low-cost airline’s growth plan includes setting up bases at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Ramon Airport (ETM). 

The airline will begin its first route from Ramon to Budapest, with flights expected to commence in March 2026, the publication reported. 

As part of the deal, Wizz Air will operate two daily international routes from Ramon, with crews staying overnight locally to facilitate base operations. Additionally, the airline will provide domestic flights between Ben Gurion and Ramon airports. 

At Ben Gurion, Wizz Air intends to base aircraft throughout the year and will add two more aircraft during the summer season of 2026. 

As part of its discussions with Israel’s Ministry of Transport, the airline has requested prime takeoff and landing slots during peak hours, aiming to compete directly with local Israeli airlines, the Globes report continued. 

Initially, each base will operate one aircraft with foreign pilots, while more crew members will be recruited locally, with a long-term vision of expanding the network to around 60 daily flights across the country. 

Israeli Minister of Transport Miri Regev has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) to conduct a 30-day hearing to address concerns raised by Israeli airlines against the new Wizz Air bases. 

The carrier had also requested approval to run flights from Israel to non-EU countries where it is registered, such as the Balkans and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but this request has been withdrawn. 

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