Wizz Air enters Azerbaijan
Wizz Air, the low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, has announced that it will commence the Budapest-Baku service on 17 June. The route will initially operate twice weekly and is expected to carry over 30,000 passengers in the first year.
The announcement marks Wizz Air’s entry to Azerbaijan, one of the fastest growing economies in Asia in recent years. With over two million inhabitants Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, is also the cultural, trading and economic center of the Caspian Sea and Caucasus due to its subtropical climate, historical heritage, favorable location and wealth of natural resources. As a touristic attraction the city certainly stands for its "the most European city in Asia" trademark.
Budapest, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities will also offer Azeri tourists Hungary’s highly developed health recreation facilities and culinary delights. Wizz Air’s Budapest network with 37 destinations will also serve as a logical gateway to Europe for Azeri travelers. The new route will connect the two countries directly for the first time, boost bi-directional tourism and establish an important link for trade and business between Hungary and Azerbaijan.
The Budapest-Baku line follows Wizz Air’s earlier announced Eastern expansion, to countries such as Ukraine, Israel, Georgia and the United Arab Emirates. Flights on Wizz Air’s new route to Baku are already on sale and can be booked immediately on wizzair.com with incredible fares starting from just €59.99 or HUF 17,990 (one way, taxes included).
József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air, said: "Wizz Air pursues "Go East" to stimulate low cost flying in one of the most dynamically growing regions in the world. The expansion of our Budapest network with Tel Aviv, Kiev and Dubai reflects on Hungary’s appeal to the ever growing potential of incoming tourism from Eastern markets. Now the opening of the Budapest-Baku route follows suit. Our incredible fares starting from HUF 17,990 will make Hungary an attractive destination as well as an entry point to Europe for Azeri travellers. The direct air link will also help to foster economic and cultural developments between the two countries."
Péter Szijjártó, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations, said: “Today’s announcement is the next milestone marking the success of our external economic strategy called „Opening to the East”. Hungary is interested in further strengthening the economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, therefore creating a direct air link between the two countries is particularly important. As a result of the new route we expect a significant growth in business and tourism traffic.”
Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan, Niyazi Safarov, added: “This important event is a clear indicator of the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary, based on mutual respect, trust and friendship. The opening of this direct air link between Baku and Budapest is very important in terms of the expansion of the existing relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Hungary in the field of politics, economy, trade and tourism. It will serve to strengthen ties between the business communities of the two countries, increase the traffic of passengers and goods, and ensure competitiveness in the market.”