Wizz Air To Cut Flights As Hungary Closes Its Borders To Foreigners

By Dave Simpson
Wizz Air To Cut Flights As Hungary Closes Its Borders To Foreigners

Wizz Air will sharply reduce weekly flights to and from Hungary from September 7, the airline said, after the Hungarian government announced that it will ban the entry of foreigners to try to rein in the coronavirus outbreak.

Hungary announced on Friday August 28 that it will close its borders to foreigners from September 1 to curb a rise in coronavirus infections, and Hungarians returning from abroad will have to go into quarantine.

Wizz Air said in a statement that it woill operate 32 flights per week between September 7 and 30, down from approximately 126 flights in the September 1 to September 6 period.

On Sunday August 30, Hungary recorded 292 new coronavirus infections, which was the country's highest daily number since the start of the pandemic. Hungary has had a total of 5,961 coronavirus cases and 614 deaths.

"From September 7 until 30, a greater reduction in flights can be expected, and only the most popular routes will remain available for passengers," the airline said.

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The low-cost airline, which in recent years has expanded from eastern into western Europe, has been one of the fastest airlines to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

Warning About Possible Recovery Stall

Wizz Air warned last week that its recovery could stall as COVID-19 warnings and restrictions hamper travel across Europe, but said that Britain's quarantine rules have not led it to reconsider long-term expansion plans there.

News by Reuters, edited by Hospitality Ireland. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.