Low-cost airline Wizz Air will reduce its flight schedule during the winter months with links to several popular destinations suspended. From September 19, the carrier will halt routes from Cardiff to destinations including Alicante, Corfu, Heraklion, Faro, Larnaca, Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Tenerife.
It has blamed the changes on the "challenging economic environment." The airline will continue to operate new winter season flights launching on October 30 to Milan, Italy, and Bucharest, Romania.
Airline bosses claim the decision to axe services has been difficult but made as early as possible to minimise any last-minute cancellations and offer easier rebooking options for customers.
Passengers with bookings affected by this change will be informed via e-mail and can opt for either a 120 per cent refund of the original fare in airline credit, a 100 per cent cash refund, or comparable flights for next summer from Cardiff or this year through London Gatwick or London Luton.
As a consequence of suspending base operations during the winter months, all Cardiff based employees will be offered redeployment opportunities at other UK airports over the winter. Wizz Air plans to resume operations from Cardiff next spring and, as part of its long-term commitment to the airport, has already launched its summer 2023 flight schedule, available via wizzair.com.
Marion Geoffroy, managing director, Wizz Air UK, said: “We are very disappointed to have to suspend several routes from Cardiff Airport for the winter season. Though these routes have proved popular through the summer season, it would not be commercially viable to continue to operate them through this coming winter due to the challenging macro-economic environment.
"This leaves us with no option but to pause these routes until next spring. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this will cause customers who already booked flights with us. We are in touch with all affected customers to explain their options."
She added; "We continue to value our close working relationship with Cardiff Airport and plan to resume base operations at the airport next year. We have already placed our full Cardiff summer schedule on sale on wizzair.com and are introducing two new winter routes.
“It takes time to build up sustainable operations at any base and we are prepared to build up operations at Cardiff over the long term.”
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