Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced a new flight route to Beirut, beginning June 4, reflecting confidence in Lebanon’s tourism recovery after conflict. Johan Eidhagen, the airline’s managing director, believes the initiative aims to boost tourism and cater to the diaspora. Ticket prices start at Dh359, aimed at making travel more affordable, contributing to the revitalization of the region’s tourism industry.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is expanding its operations by introducing a new flight route to Beirut, signaling confidence in Lebanon’s tourism recovery following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The ultra-low-cost airline plans to initiate flights from Abu Dhabi to the Lebanese capital on June 4, operating three times per week. According to Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, this route aims to enhance visits from friends and relatives as well as to rejuvenate tourism within the region.
Tourism is crucial for Lebanon’s beleaguered economy, which saw a 7.1 percent contraction in GDP last year due to conflict, as reported by a World Bank study. The country’s GDP has plummeted nearly 40 percent since 2019, with reconstruction efforts requiring an estimated cost of $11 billion. Eidhagen noted that the current geopolitical climate supports the airline’s entry, emphasizing their readiness to meet the increased demand for air travel.
Wizz Air will utilize the Airbus A321 for the new Beirut route, which can accommodate 230 passengers. The airline’s ticket prices start at Dh359, which is 40 percent lower than existing fares for that route. Eidhagen stated that this pricing strategy aims to make travel accessible to those who have previously found it unaffordable, particularly appealing to the large Lebanese community in the UAE.
While Eidhagen expects the new route to achieve high load factors early on, he acknowledged that building market presence would require time and patience. The airline has suspended its Athens route temporarily to make room for new routes, including one to Gabala, Azerbaijan, set to launch on June 19, which is touted as a cold-weather retreat for travelers.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operates with a fleet comprised of 12 A320 and A321 aircraft and offers 34 destinations. The joint venture between Hungary’s Wizz Air Holding and Abu Dhabi state holding company ADQ commenced operations in 2021 amid the pandemic, now seeking to bolster its market share and contribute to the recovery of tourism in Lebanon.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s new route to Beirut demonstrates a strategic move to capitalize on the anticipated recovery of Lebanon’s tourism sector post-conflict. By offering significantly lower fares and targeting the visiting friends and relatives market, the airline aims to attract a broader customer base. This initiative, alongside new routes to Gabala, signifies the airline’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and its optimism about the resurgence of travel to Lebanon.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
