The low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air are looking for a direct confrontation at the Italian airport. Both providers have announced the establishment of a base. The former carrier plans to station three Boeing 737 Max 200 operated by Malta Air and the Hungarian competitor two Airbus A321neo.

Wizz Air plans to add a total of 2022 new routes from Venice (Marco Polo) from the beginning of March 16. It is a colorful mix of domestic, leisure and city destinations. One seeks confrontation with Ryanair on numerous routes. Those routes that have been announced by the pink low-cost airline and are already included in the route network of the competitor or have been announced for inclusion by the competitor are written in bold in the overview below.

New Wizz Air routes from Venice:

“I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Wizz Air base at Venice Marco Polo Airport. This is another important milestone for both WIZZ and our passengers in the region. With our 16 new flights to nine countries building on our existing ten flights to seven countries, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to Italy as we expand our national and international Italian network. The two new, modern, environmentally friendly and 50 percent quieter Airbus A321neo will ensure that Wizz Air protects the beauties of Venice and the neighboring areas. Our crew can hardly wait to greet the first passengers on board our aircraft with a smile, ”said Wizz Air President Robert Carey.

Ryanair countered with Boeing 737 Max 200

The Wizz Air competitor will be stationing three Boeing 737 Max 200s at Venice Airport. These are operated by the subsidiary Malta Air. A total of 20 new routes have been announced for inclusion. Overlaps with the announcement of the Hungarian competitor are written in bold in the table below. The flights will gradually start from the summer flight schedule 2022.

The base at Treviso Airport is to be continued. Ryanair has two Boeing 737-800s stationed at this airport. The group also wants to further expand the offer from Verona. A shift of existing flights from Treviso to Marco Polo is excluded.

“As the largest airline in Europe and Italy, we are pleased to open our new Italian base in Venice Marco Polo with three new 737“ Gamechanger ”-based aircraft and to further strengthen the long-standing cooperation between Ryanair and the SAVE Group. Today's announcement of 86 routes (20 new) to Veneto shows Ryanair's ability to be at the forefront of helping the recovery of Italian tourism, ”said Jason McGuinness, Ryanair Commercial Director.