Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air is set to launch a permanent base at Cardiff Airport (CWL/EGGF) creating around 40 jobs in March 2021.
The airline will offer nine routes to destinations including Alicante, Faro and Tenerife as well as seasonal routes to Corfu and Palma. Sharm El Sheikh and Lanzarote will also be available during the winter season.
The news comes at the end of a torrid year for Wales’ only international airport which was left reeling from the collapse of Flybe & Thomas Cook as well as dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic however some will be disappointed about the lack of new destinations such as Eastern Europe which Wizz Air serves from its other UK bases.
Wizz Air UK Managing Director, Owain Jones, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for Wizz Air as we increase our footprint in the UK even further. The creation of our fourth UK base at Cardiff Airport reflects Wizz Air’s continued commitment to serving the UK market and generating economic growth, as we create local jobs, stimulate the tourism and hospitality industries and deliver on our promise of providing affordable, direct flights to exciting holiday destinations. Today’s expansion into Wales brings increased connectivity to the region, so passengers can take advantage of Wizz Air’s ultra-low fares to travel to their favourite sunny holiday spots on-board our young and green aircraft fleet. With the launch of 47 new routes from the UK this year alone, we’re making sure that passengers can make up for lost time in creating amazing travel memories.”
Cardiff Airport interim CEO Spencer Burns said “We know many people living in Wales are craving a well-deserved holiday after such a challenging year and these new flights will give so many more opportunities for holidays to be planned now that will give us all something to look forward to for next year.”
The single aircraft base will be home to an Airbus A321 airliner and will make an extra 350,000 seats available from Cardiff each year.
Ultra-Low Fares
| Route | Operating Days | Starts | Fares from |
| Cardiff – Alicante | Thursday, Sunday | 28 March 2021 | GBP 29.99 |
| Cardiff – Faro | Thursday, Sunday (Summer) Tuesday, Saturday (Winter) | 28 March 2021 | GBP 29.99 |
| Cardiff – Larnaca | Thursday, Sunday (Summer) Tuesday, Saturday (Winter) | 27 March 2021 | GBP 36.99 |
| Cardiff – Tenerife | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 26 March 2021 | GBP 31.99 |
| Cardiff – Heraklion | Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Summer only) | 26 March 2021 | GBP 36.99 |
| Cardiff – Corfu | Tuesday, Saturday (Summer only) | 29 May 2021 | GBP 36.99 |
| Cardiff – Palma De Mallorca | Thursday, Sunday (Summer only) | 28 March 2021 | GBP 27.99 |
| Cardiff – Lanzarote | Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Winter only) | 1 October 2021 | GBP 31.99 |
| Cardiff – Sharm El Sheikh | Thursday, Sunday (Winter only) | 1 November 2021 | GBP 45.99 |
The Flights In Detail
DEPARTURES
Larnaca
12:35 W9 5811 Thu/Sun From 31OCT
13:30 W9 5811 Sat 27MAR only
14:30 W9 5811 Tue/Sat 30MAR-30OCT
Sharm el Sheikh
13:05 W9 5803 Tue/Sat From 02NOV
Corfu
06:10 W9 5813 Tue/Sat 29MAY-28SEP
Heraklion
05:10 W9 5815 Fri 26MAR only
06:10 W9 5815 Mon/Wed/Fri 29MAR-29SEP
Faro
18:30 W9 5801 Thu/Sun 28MAR-28OCT
Alicante
06:10 W9 5821 Thu/Sun From 31OCT
12:15 W9 5821 Thu/Sun 28MAR-28OCT
Lanzarote
07:10 W9 5805 Mon/Wed/Fri From 01OCT
Palma Mallorca
06:10 W9 5817 Thu/Sun 28MAR-28OCT
Tenerife Sur
15:35 W9 5807 Mon/Wed/Fri 26MAR only then from 01NOV
16:35 W9 5807 Mon/Wed/Fri 29MAR-29OCT
ARRIVALS
Larnaca
01:10 W9 5812 Wed/Sun 27MAR-30OCT
23:15 W9 5812 Thu/Sun From 31OCT
Sharm el Sheikh
01:10 W9 5804 Wed/Sun From 02NOV
Corfu
13:40 W9 5814 Tue/Sat 29MAY-28SEP
Heraklion
15:25 W9 5816 Mon/Wed/Fri 26MAR-29SEP
Faro
00:30 W9 5802 Mon/Fri 28MAR-28OCT
Alicante
11:40 W9 5822 Thu/Sun From 31OCT
17:45 W9 5822 Thu/Sun 28MAR-28OCT
Lanzarote
15:40 W9 5806 Mon/Wed/Fri From 01OCT
Palma Mallorca
11:25 W9 5818 Thu/Sun 28MAR-28OCT
Tenerife Sur
00:55 W9 5808 Tue/Thu/Sat From 01NOV
01:55 W9 5808 Tue/Thu/Sat 26MAR-29OCT
Flight Data compiled by Matthew l’Anson.
