Wizz Air is increasing capacity from five major European bases to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in response to ongoing airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East. The additional flights begin on Friday, 6 March 2026, and are intended to provide alternative travel options for passengers whose journeys have been disrupted by the suspension of direct services to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Saudi Arabia.

The Hungarian low-fare carrier has temporarily suspended flights to and from those destinations up to and including 7 March as a precautionary measure. The airline is now upping frequencies from London Luton, Rome Fiumicino, Budapest, Milan Malpensa and Sofia to Sharm El Sheikh, pending regulatory approval.

Specific frequency increases include:

  • Budapest (BUD): from three to ten weekly flights
  • Rome Fiumicino (FCO): from 11 to 18 weekly flights
  • London Luton (LTN): from four to eight weekly flights
  • Milan Malpensa (MXP): from six to 11 weekly flights
  • Sofia (SOF): up to three weekly flights

A Wizz Air spokesperson said the airline appreciates the patience and understanding shown by its customers during this period and remains committed to restoring its original services once it is safe to do so. The carrier is offering alternative solutions to affected passengers and aims to help reconnect them with loved ones.

Why it matters

The capacity injection into Sharm El Sheikh highlights how airlines are adapting to regional disruptions by rerouting traffic to nearby destinations that remain accessible. For the travel trade, this creates an immediate opportunity to package alternative itineraries via Egypt for clients booked on suspended routes. The scale of the increase — for example, more than tripling Budapest frequencies and adding seven weekly flights from Rome — suggests Wizz Air expects sustained demand for alternative connections between Europe and the Middle East corridor. Tour operators and DMCs serving the Red Sea region may see a short-term surge in bookings as stranded passengers seek new travel options.

Wizz Air’s move also underscores the operational flexibility required in the current environment, with airlines needing to shift capacity quickly while maintaining regulatory compliance. The suspension of flights to key Middle Eastern hubs until at least 7 March indicates that the security situation remains fluid, and further adjustments may follow.