Wizz Air Establishes Palermo as Its 39th Global Base, Rising to Italy’s Second-Largest Airline by Market Share
Wizz Air has marked a major new chapter in its Italian growth strategy by announcing the establishment of a new operational base at Palermo Falcone Borsellino International Airport. In a remarkably short timeframe—from the resumption of operations last December to the basing of two next-generation aircraft—the Sicilian capital has become Wizz Air’s 39th base worldwide. This milestone not only strengthens the airline’s footprint in southern Italy but also propels Wizz Air to a market share exceeding 10%, making it the second-largest airline in Italy by market share.
The announcement was made in Palermo during a joint press conference held by Wizz Air and GESAP, the management company of Palermo Falcone Borsellino International Airport. The event was attended by key institutional and industry representatives, including Roberto Lagalla, Mayor of Palermo; Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air; and Gianfranco Battisti, Chief Executive Officer of GESAP. Together, they outlined the airline’s long-term development plan for Palermo Airport and highlighted the strategic importance of the new base for both Sicily and the broader Italian aviation market.
A Strategic Return and Rapid Expansion
Wizz Air’s return to Palermo has been characterized by speed, scale, and strategic intent. Less than two months after resuming operations at the airport, the airline has committed to basing two Airbus A321neo aircraft—among the most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft in its fleet—cementing its presence on a stable, year-round basis.
Starting from 1 August 2026, Palermo Falcone Borsellino Airport will host these two aircraft, enabling Wizz Air to significantly increase capacity, improve operational resilience, and expand its route network. From Palermo, the airline will operate a total of ten routes across seven countries, reinforcing the airport’s role as a key connectivity hub for western Sicily.
This development underscores Wizz Air’s confidence in the Palermo market and reflects the strong demand observed since the airline resumed services last year.
Strengthening Domestic Connectivity for Sicily
A central pillar of Wizz Air’s expansion in Palermo is the strengthening of domestic air connectivity. The airline has designed its network to address the concrete mobility needs of Sicilian residents, particularly those traveling for work, education, healthcare, and family reunification—areas where affordable and frequent air services are essential.
From 1 August 2026, Wizz Air will operate the Palermo–Milan Malpensa route with a double daily service, totaling 14 weekly frequencies. This high-frequency connection links Sicily with Italy’s most important economic hub, providing flexibility for both business and leisure travelers.
Additional domestic routes include Palermo–Bologna with 11 weekly flights and Palermo–Venice with 10 weekly flights, further strengthening north–south connectivity. The domestic network is completed by the Palermo–Turin route, which will operate daily starting from 4 May 2026, offering consistent access to another key industrial and cultural center in northern Italy.
All new domestic routes are already available for booking on wizzair.com and through the official WIZZ mobile application. Introductory fares start from €14.99, reaffirming Wizz Air’s long-standing commitment to affordable air travel on routes of high territorial and social relevance.
Expanding International Leisure Travel
Alongside domestic growth, Wizz Air is also expanding its international offering from Palermo to support rising leisure demand and enhance the airport’s tourism profile. Beginning 1 August 2026, the airline will launch a new Palermo–Tel Aviv service with three weekly frequencies on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
From 2 August 2026, Wizz Air will further broaden its international network with the introduction of a Palermo–Sharm El Sheikh route, operated four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. These routes connect Sicily directly with highly attractive Mediterranean and Middle Eastern leisure destinations, significantly expanding travel options for both outbound travelers and inbound tourists.
Both international routes are already on sale, with fares starting from €39.99, reinforcing Palermo Airport’s positioning as an increasingly important gateway for international tourism.
A Long-Term Partnership with GESAP
The decision to base aircraft in Palermo has been made possible through a long-term, structured partnership between Wizz Air and GESAP. This collaboration represents a key step in the development of Sicily’s air connectivity and demonstrates the effectiveness of joint planning between airlines and airport operators.
Basing aircraft locally allows Wizz Air to strengthen its operational performance by improving schedule reliability, increasing frequencies, and ensuring year-round connectivity. For passengers, this translates into more consistent services, better on-time performance, and greater choice across both domestic and international routes.
With Palermo rejoining the WIZZ base network, the scale of operations at the airport will increase substantially. In 2026, Wizz Air plans to offer nearly one million seats from Palermo—representing a capacity increase of more than 200% compared to current levels.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Beyond traffic growth and connectivity, Wizz Air’s investment delivers tangible economic benefits to the local community. The establishment of the base is expected to create approximately 80 direct jobs, including pilots, cabin crew, and ground personnel. In addition, an estimated 700 indirect jobs will be generated across the wider supply chain, benefiting sectors such as tourism, logistics, catering, maintenance, and airport services.
This employment impact reinforces Palermo Airport’s role as a strategic infrastructure asset for regional development, supporting economic diversification and long-term growth in western Sicily.
Leadership Perspectives
Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air, emphasized the strategic importance of the decision and the airline’s commitment to Sicilian passengers.
“Re-establishing our base in Palermo is a direct result of the impressive performance we’ve seen since December and the strength of our partnership with GESAP,” Malin said. “By basing two aircraft here, we are answering a clear demand for more frequent, affordable connections. Whether traveling for business, education, or simply to return home, our Sicilian passengers will now benefit from even more choice and fares starting from just €14.99. As Italy’s second-largest airline, we continue to put the needs of our passengers at the heart of our growth. Amunì Palermo, Let’s WIZZ!”
Gianfranco Battisti, CEO of GESAP, highlighted the broader strategic and economic implications of the new base.
“The opening of the Wizz Air base in Palermo represents a result of extraordinary strategic importance for our airport and for Sicily as a whole,” Battisti said. “The decision to base two latest-generation aircraft here confirms the strength of the industrial path undertaken by GESAP and structurally strengthens the region’s air connectivity. A base means year-round operational continuity, increased frequencies, greater reliability, and a more accessible network designed to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and tourists.”
Battisti added that the partnership with Wizz Air helps diversify Palermo Airport’s airline portfolio, reduce seasonality, and consolidate its role as a key Mediterranean aviation hub capable of supporting sustainable growth over the medium to long term.
Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla also welcomed the announcement, describing it as a transformative step for the city and the region.
“Wizz Air’s decision to establish Palermo as a strategic base represents a fundamental step for the future of our airport and the city,” Lagalla said. “The basing of two aircraft and the expansion of routes—especially international ones—strengthen Palermo’s role as a gateway to the Mediterranean. This agreement enhances the competitiveness and attractiveness of our territory and confirms Falcone Borsellino Airport as a key infrastructure for economic, tourism, and employment development in western Sicily.”
Wizz Air’s Broader Commitment to Italy
Wizz Air has been operating in Italy since 2004 and continues to make substantial investments in the country, which has become its largest market by passengers carried across its European and extended network.
In 2026, the airline plans to offer more than 27 million seats in Italy, supported by a network of six operational bases: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice, Catania, Naples, and now Palermo. The Italian network will include nearly 280 routes to 33 countries, with 33 Airbus A321neo aircraft based in the country.
The establishment of the Palermo base further strengthens Wizz Air’s long-term commitment to Italy and positions the airline for continued growth in one of Europe’s most strategically important aviation markets.
Source Link:https://www.wizzair.com/en-gb