Wizz Air Unveils Major Expansion in Bulgaria with New Aircraft and Seven Exciting Routes from Sofia
Wizz Air, the fastest-growing and most environmentally sustainable airline operating across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia*, has announced a significant expansion of its operations in Bulgaria with the addition of a seventh aircraft to its Sofia base. The expansion will also introduce seven new direct routes launching in 2025, further solidifying Sofia’s role as a vital hub within the airline’s growing international network.
As part of this strategic development, Wizz Air will connect the Bulgarian capital to Prague (Czech Republic), Turin and Lamezia Terme (Italy), Chișinău (Moldova), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Marrakesh (Morocco), and Warsaw (Poland). The newly introduced destinations mark a milestone for the airline and the Bulgarian travel market. Flights are now available for booking through wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting at just 38.99 BGN.
Driving Growth and Connectivity: A Strategic Step Forward
This latest move by Wizz Air is part of a broader long-term growth strategy in Bulgaria and the surrounding region, designed to provide passengers with more affordable, convenient, and environmentally sustainable travel options. With the addition of the seventh aircraft and new routes, the airline will now offer an annual capacity of approximately 1.29 million seats from Sofia Airport — over 100,000 more seats than its current output.
The expansion not only demonstrates Wizz Air’s continued investment in the Bulgarian market but also strengthens its position as a leading carrier in the country. With a projected market share of 29%, Wizz Air is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of air travel in Bulgaria by offering connections to previously underserved destinations, both within Europe and beyond.
A Diverse Mix of Destinations for Every Type of Traveler
The newly added routes provide passengers with a wide array of options, from weekend city breaks to sun-soaked vacations and cultural exploration. Travelers can immerse themselves in the historical charm of Prague, experience the Mediterranean allure of Palma de Mallorca, wander the bustling souks of Marrakesh, or explore the architectural beauty of Turin.
Whether it’s a journey into the vibrant energy of Warsaw or the heritage of Chișinău, these routes are designed to cater to both leisure and business travelers. Importantly, the connectivity works both ways — allowing more international tourists easy access to Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage, pristine nature, and growing urban offerings.
Expanded Frequencies on Popular Existing Routes
In addition to unveiling new destinations, Wizz Air has also announced increased flight frequencies on four popular routes from Sofia, enhancing flexibility for travelers throughout the year. The following destinations will now benefit from more frequent service:
- Barcelona (Spain)
- Hamburg (Germany)
- Milan-Bergamo (Italy)
- Basel (Switzerland)
These enhancements come in response to strong passenger demand and reflect the airline’s ongoing commitment to improving customer experience and network efficiency.
Celebrating a Milestone Expansion: Voices from the Event
To commemorate this momentous announcement, Wizz Air held a celebratory event at Sofia Airport, joined by key stakeholders and government officials. The event underscored the collaborative nature of the expansion, highlighting public-private partnerships as essential drivers of growth and innovation in Bulgaria’s aviation sector.
András Szabó, Wizz Air’s Commercial Officer for Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, spoke at the press conference, stating:
“The expansion of our base in Sofia with an additional aircraft and seven new routes is a significant milestone in our long-term growth strategy across Bulgaria and the region. Sofia is strengthening its position as a core hub in Wizz Air’s network, and we are proud to offer even more affordable and sustainable travel options to a wide array of exciting destinations. We believe these routes will cater to increasing passenger demand for flexible, budget-friendly travel and contribute to our leadership in the Bulgarian market.”
Representing Sofia Airport, Jesús Caballero, CEO of SOF Connect, echoed this sentiment:
“Wizz Air’s decision to base a seventh aircraft in Sofia and add seven new routes is a clear vote of confidence in the airport’s long-term potential. This expansion brings us a step closer to realizing our vision of transforming Sofia Airport into a modern, 5-star regional hub. By extending our destination map, we are also creating new opportunities for economic development, tourism, and business.”
Vassil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia, emphasized the importance of cooperation:
“Tourism is a central pillar of Sofia’s economic strategy. For the city to thrive long-term, collaboration between public and private sectors is essential. Our shared vision with Sofia Airport and Wizz Air is to position Sofia as a regional transportation and innovation hub.”
Also speaking at the event, Pavlin Petrov, Deputy Minister of Tourism, added:
“I would like to express our deep appreciation to Wizz Air, SOF Connect, and Sofia Municipality for this strategic move. The expansion of Wizz Air’s presence not only brings more tourists to Bulgaria but also fosters stronger economic ties and greater international investment through improved connectivity.”
Celebrating 20 Years of Operations in Bulgaria
This announcement comes at a historic moment for Wizz Air in Bulgaria — 20 years after its very first flight from Sofia Airport in 2005. Over the past two decades, Wizz Air has firmly established itself as a preferred low-cost carrier in the region, consistently expanding its footprint and delivering on its promise of accessible travel.
To date, the airline has flown over 30 million passengers to and from Bulgaria, a testament to the trust and loyalty it has built with travelers. Following this latest announcement, Wizz Air will operate a total of 53 routes between Bulgaria and 16 countries, offering an unmatched level of choice for both leisure and business passengers.
The airline’s Bulgarian operations are supported by a dedicated fleet of nine Airbus A320 Family aircraft, based in Sofia and Varna, and a team of over 360 local employees whose professionalism continues to power Wizz Air’s success in the region.
A Vision for a More Connected Future
With its steadfast commitment to growth, innovation, and sustainability, Wizz Air is not just increasing capacity — it is redefining what air travel can look like in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe. By connecting more destinations, increasing flight frequency, and investing in local infrastructure, Wizz Air is contributing meaningfully to regional economic development, tourism diversification, and environmental responsibility.
As Sofia Airport evolves into a world-class travel gateway and as demand for affordable air travel continues to rise, Wizz Air remains well-positioned to lead this transformation — one route, one aircraft, and one destination at a time.