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Wizz Air Restarts Tel Aviv Services Following Safety Review

Wizz Air announced that it will resume flights to and from Tel Aviv starting May 28, 2026, as the airline continues expanding and modernising its fleet. The announcement also coincided with the delivery of Wizz Air’s 200th Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking a key milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Resumption Of Tel Aviv Services

The reintroduction of Tel Aviv flights comes in response to the latest guidelines issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, accompanied by ongoing collaboration with aviation and security authorities. Wizz Air has underscored that passenger and crew safety remains paramount, with operations subject to continual review and adjustment as industry conditions evolve.

Strengthening Its Market Position

By reestablishing connections with Tel Aviv, the airline reinforces its standing as Israel’s leading low-cost carrier while extending its robust network across Europe and other international markets. Currently operating more than 1,000 routes and aiming to serve 80 million passengers in 2026, Wizz Air continues to drive forward its mission of democratizing air travel.

Milestone Fleet Expansion

The delivery of the airline’s 200th Airbus A321neo aircraft, including the Airbus A321XLR model, represents another major step in Wizz Air’s fleet renewal programme. According to the company, the neo fleet will eventually include six A320neo aircraft, eight A321XLRs and 186 A321neo aircraft once all scheduled deliveries are completed. The aircraft are equipped with next-generation Pratt & Whitney engines designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions intensity. Wizz Air said the newer fleet can lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat by up to 20%.

Commitment To Innovation And Passenger Experience

Ian Malin said the airline had taken a “cautious and measured approach” to the decision to resume Tel Aviv operations. Meanwhile, Owain Jones said the 200-aircraft milestone reflected the company’s long-term focus on growth, operational efficiency and lower emissions. Wizz Air has also stated that it plans to operate an all-neo fleet by 2029 as part of its wider sustainability and expansion strategy.

Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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