July the 23rd, 2026 – Despite things looking promising just days ago, Wizz Air has ruled out having a new Zagreb base for now, citing current market conditions.
Popular low-cost airline Wizz Air has confirmed that it has no immediate plans to establish operating bases in either Zagreb or Ljubljana, revealed the two capitals do not yet meet the commercial conditions required for such an expansion. Sinisa Malus reports for Poslovni that the announcement comes as both Croatia and Slovenia continue working to strengthen air connectivity, with regional airports competing to attract more airlines and new routes.
wizz air says no to a zagreb base – for now
Speaking about the company’s expansion strategy, Wizz Air representatives said that neither Zagreb nor Ljubljana currently offers the market conditions needed to justify opening a permanent base. While the airline continues to operate flights to both cities, establishing a base would require a larger and more sustainable level of passenger demand, route opportunities and long-term profitability. For now, the carrier says it remains focused on markets where it sees stronger growth potential.
An airline base is far more significant than simply operating flights to an airport. It typically involves stationing aircraft and crews permanently at a location, allowing airlines to launch more routes, increase flight frequencies and offer earlier departures and better connections. For airports, securing a carrier’s base often leads to increased passenger numbers, more tourism and the creation of new jobs linked to aviation and airport services. Without a local base, airlines generally have less flexibility to rapidly expand operations.
competition is hotting up
Airports across Central and Southeast Europe are increasingly competing to attract low-cost carriers, offering incentives and investing in infrastructure to encourage airlines to establish long-term operations. Zagreb Airport has continued to dramatically expand its route network in recent years, welcoming new airlines and destinations while strengthening connections across Europe. However, competition remains intense, particularly as neighbouring airports also seek to position themselves as regional aviation hubs.
Despite Wizz Air’s decision, Croatia’s aviation sector continues to see significant changes. Several airlines have announced new seasonal routes this year, while airports including Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar continue to record strong passenger numbers during the summer season. At the same time, Croatia is working to improve domestic connectivity, with seasonal flights linking Osijek to several Adriatic destinations and ongoing discussions about further strengthening regional air links.
looking to the future…
Although Wizz Air has ruled out a new Zagreb base for now, the airline has not closed the door permanently. Should passenger demand continue to grow and market conditions improve, both capitals could once again be considered for future expansion. For the moment, however, travellers can expect Wizz Air to maintain its existing network rather than significantly increasing its presence through locally based aircraft.
