Wizz Air Discusses Joint Venture and New Routes with Uzbek Gov’t

Wizz Air, headquartered in Budapest, is actively exploring the establishment of a joint venture in Uzbekistan, a move that could significantly expand its operations in Central Asia. This development follows a recent meeting between the airline’s CEO, József Váradi, and Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov.

During their discussions, both parties deliberated on initiating new flight services between Uzbekistan and Europe, along with the potential for setting up a transit hub in Uzbekistan. The talks hinted at the possibility of Wizz Air establishing a base within the country, which could facilitate transit flights through the region.

A notable proposal from the meeting was the introduction of a direct flight service between Tashkent International and Budapest, envisioned to commence by the end of 2025. This route would mark a significant expansion of Wizz Air’s network, enhancing connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.

Currently, Wizz Air’s subsidiary, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, operates flights connecting Abu Dhabi International with Tashkent and Samarkand. Further interests expressed by Váradi include increasing flight frequencies to Tashkent and launching new routes to Namangan and Urgench, indicating a strategic focus on enhancing service offerings in Uzbekistan.

Wizz Air’s presence in Central Asia is primarily through its Abu Dhabi operations, connecting various cities including Almaty, Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev, Bishkek, and Turkistan. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline also operated direct flights from Budapest to Astana, showcasing its capability to link Europe with Central Asia.

This potential joint venture in Uzbekistan aligns with Wizz Air’s broader strategy, similar to its previous collaboration in Abu Dhabi and considered plans in Saudi Arabia, which were ultimately not pursued.