Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Expands as Wizz Air Exits Market
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is set to increase its operational capacity by 40% in 2025, stepping in to seize market share left open by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s exit from the United Arab Emirates capital this September. The move positions the low-cost carrier, a joint venture between Air Arabia and Etihad Airways, to further strengthen its footprint at Zayed International Airport (AUH).
The airline has already added two Airbus A320s to its fleet, bringing the total to 12 aircraft, increasing its total to 14 aircraft. Two more will be introduced before the end of the year to support the planned growth. According to CEO Adel Al Ali, this expansion will enhance connectivity while aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader goals for economic development and tourism. “The planned capacity increase in 2025 will further contribute to the capital’s broader economic and tourism vision while continuing to offer value-driven air travel to our customers,” he said.
Current OAG Schedules Analyser data shows that Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operates 203 weekly flights to 28 destinations, offering nearly 35,000 weekly departure seats. The airline holds a 9.1% seat share at AUH, slightly edging out Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s 9%, with Etihad Airways remaining dominant at 63.7%.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a four-year-old joint venture between Hungary’s Wizz Air and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ, announced its closure on July 14. The carrier cited limited market access, regional instability, and aircraft supply chain issues as reasons for withdrawing. The ULCC currently serves several routes in common with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, including Alexandria, Amman, Beirut, Baku, Salalah, Almaty, and Yerevan.
The exit casts doubt on Wizz Air’s future plans for its long-range fleet. CEO József Váradi previously noted that the airline may scale back its order of 47 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, originally intended to facilitate growth in hot-weather markets like the Middle East. “Maybe our conclusion is going to be that 47 XLRs is far too many, and we will have to scale back on that,” Váradi said, highlighting concerns about aircraft performance in harsh operating environments.
As Wizz Air winds down, Etihad Airways is also stepping in. The carrier has announced seven new routes from AUH set to launch between November 2025 and March 2026. These include destinations such as Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tashkent, and Yerevan—all previously served by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.
Together, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Etihad are expected to absorb a significant portion of the capacity being vacated. The strategic expansion not only enhances Abu Dhabi’s connectivity but also reflects a broader reshaping of the UAE’s aviation market in response to evolving demand and competitive dynamics.
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