Wizz Air has officially ended its operations from Abu Dhabi as of September 1, marking a significant shift in the UAE’s budget travel landscape. While the decision comes amid operational and environmental hurdles, the gap is being quickly filled by other low-cost carriers. Here’s a detailed look at what prompted the exit, what it means for travellers, and which airlines are stepping up to ensure affordable travel options remain available.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi shuts down after six years of operations
The closure of Wizz Air’s Abu Dhabi hub brings an end to its six-year run in the UAE aviation market. The airline’s final departure from its UAE base took place on August 31, with the termination of originating services taking full effect from September 1. The decision was confirmed in Wizz Air’s August traffic report.Several key factors influenced the shutdown:
- Geopolitical instability across some of its operating regions
- Ongoing engine issues, particularly exacerbated by the region’s hot climate
- Operational limitations, including constrained access to certain routes
While the airline has pulled out of Abu Dhabi, not all its Middle East operations are affected. Some European-networked routes operated by Wizz Air will continue to fly to and from Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the airline is in the process of rebuilding its Tel Aviv station, with plans to resume 24 full routes by mid-September — highlighting a strategic refocus on more stable markets.
Implications for budget travellers and market response
Wizz Air’s withdrawal has raised immediate concerns among travellers who relied on its affordable fares, particularly for routes across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Analysts suggest a potential short-term fare surge of up to 50% on affected routes due to reduced competition.However, the UAE’s low-cost aviation sector remains resilient. A wide array of domestic and international budget carriers are actively absorbing the demand and expanding their services to maintain pricing accessibility and route availability.
Key budget airlines filling the gap
Here’s a breakdown of the major low-cost airlines continuing to operate from the UAE and the routes they’re strengthening:1. Air Arabia & Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
- Air Arabia (Sharjah-based) is the UAE’s first and largest low-cost airline.
- Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, a joint venture with Etihad, operates from Zayed International Airport.
- The group is expanding in 2025 with increased capacity and new routes to Amman, Beirut, Almaty, and Baku.
- Destinations span the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe.
2. flydubai
- Operates out of Dubai International Airport with over 130 destinations in its network.
- Noted for combining budget pricing with select full-service features.
- In the previous financial year, flydubai posted a profit of $611 million.
- Its Boeing 737 fleet serves both leisure and business destinations, particularly in Eastern Europe and South Asia.
3. flynas
- Based in Saudi Arabia, flynas is expanding in the UAE.
- Operates from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi to destinations like Riyadh, Tbilisi, and Brussels.
- Helps strengthen Saudi-UAE travel links with consistent low-cost options.
4. IndiGo, Air India Express, and SwissJet
- Popular choices for India-bound travel, offering extensive networks and competitive pricing.
- IndiGo and Air India Express run frequent services to dozens of Indian cities.
- SwissJet also maintains economical routes between the UAE and India.
5. Pegasus Airlines and Jazeera Airways
- Pegasus Airlines (Turkey) offers low-cost flights from Sharjah and Dubai, with onward connections to Europe.
- Jazeera Airways provides affordable services to Middle Eastern and Asian destinations from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
6. SalamAir
- Oman-based SalamAir operates cost-effective flights from Muscat, including routes to Baku and Istanbul.
Together, these carriers ensure that the UAE remains a robust hub for affordable air travel, even with the exit of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.
Industry outlook and what lies ahead for budget aviation in the UAE
The UAE’s aviation sector continues to experience strong demand, especially from leisure and work-related travellers. Regional airports have reported notable increases in passenger traffic in the first half of 2025.To meet this demand:
- Air Arabia is rapidly scaling operations, adding both frequency and new routes.
- Etihad Airways is also launching routes that cover markets previously served by Wizz Air.
Industry experts expect that as new airlines increase capacity and routes, ticket prices will stabilize. The entry and expansion of carriers like flynas, flydubai, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi are already mitigating the impact of Wizz Air’s departure.Despite the airline’s exit, the low-cost travel ecosystem in the UAE remains strong, with strategic moves underway to retain convenience and affordability for passengers. The shift signals not a downturn, but a recalibration of the market — one that could prove more sustainable in the long term.
