Wizz Air to Exit Abu Dhabi Amid Engine Troubles and Regional Instability
Harsh desert conditions and Middle East tensions force the low-cost airline to shut down its Abu Dhabi operations by September 2025.
Wizz Air has confirmed it will end all operations from Abu Dhabi starting September 1, 2025, citing extreme weather conditions, engine maintenance challenges, and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The decision comes after a detailed reassessment of the region’s market potential and operational risks. The airline’s Airbus A320 aircraft, equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, have suffered from accelerated engine wear due to the high concentration of sand particles and soaring temperatures in the Gulf. Wizz Air stated that engines in the Middle East degrade up to three times faster than in European environments, increasing costs and forcing multiple aircraft to be grounded.
These technical challenges have been compounded by regional conflicts. In particular, the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has resulted in unpredictable airspace closures and disrupted flight schedules, further eroding customer demand and route reliability. Temporary airspace shutdowns in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait — following Iranian strikes on a US base — only intensified operational instability.
In a statement, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi acknowledged the tough nature of the decision but emphasized its necessity. “This was a difficult but essential step. Changing supply chain realities, safety concerns, and limited access to stable markets no longer support our original ambitions for the Abu Dhabi base,” he said.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, launched in late 2020 as a joint venture with Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ (which held a 51% stake), had initially aimed for rapid regional expansion, targeting a fleet of 100 aircraft over 15 years. However, it reached a peak of only 12 aircraft and 23 routes, largely serving Eastern Europe.
Moving forward, Wizz Air plans to double down on its core European markets, including expansion in Central and Eastern Europe and strategic growth in countries like the UK, Italy, and Austria. Routes from European cities to the Middle East — such as London to Saudi Arabia and Jordan — will continue as usual.
The exit puts the future of around 700 employees in Abu Dhabi in question, with the company yet to clarify redeployment or severance options.
