Wizz Air is making a significant move by establishing a new operational base in Turin, Italy. Starting in September, this will mark the airline’s seventh base in the country and its fortieth across Europe. The airline plans to deploy two aircraft at the Turin airport and projects to serve over one million passengers.
New Routes and Job Creation
The establishment of the base includes the launch of seven new routes, with a highlight being the inaugural service to Bilbao, Spain. This initiative is set to create approximately 80 direct jobs and generate around 700 additional jobs indirectly.
Growth Projections
Wizz Air has seen remarkable growth in passenger numbers, doubling from 41 million in 2019 to an expected 80 million by 2026, bolstered by its expanding network of 40 bases in Europe. In 2025, the airline operated over 2,100 flights from Turin, transporting more than 450,000 passengers. With the new base, these numbers are anticipated to double.
Strategic Enhancements for Turin Airport
Andrea Andorno, CEO of Sagat, highlighted that this strategic move is expected to transform the operations at Turin airport. He noted that investments of 10 million euros per year are underway, preparing the airport to handle increased traffic and new initiatives such as Wizz Air’s expansion.
Market Presence
- Wizz Air operates 40 aircraft in Italy.
- The airline holds an 11% market share.
- By 2026, Wizz Air aims to offer 27 million seats across all routes.
The airline will operate a total of 16 routes to eight different countries from the new base in Turin, providing approximately 1.3 million seats for sale. The airport is experiencing a surge in traffic, largely driven by low-cost carriers. Competitor Ryanair has also announced the addition of a third aircraft at the airport.
Future of Turin Airport
In 2025, Turin airport surpassed five million passengers for the first time. With the expected arrival of new aircraft and additional routes, the growth in passenger traffic is likely to continue into 2026 and beyond.
