Riyadh, August 25, 2022, SPA -- Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and most sustainable airline, is launching 20 exciting new routes with a capacity of one million new seats from Bucharest, Budapest, Catania, Larnaca, Milan, Naples, Rome, Tirana, Varna, Venice and Vienna to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, in Saudi Arabia. The airline introduces a new era of affordable, point-to-point travel for tourists and residents in Europe and Saudi, strengthening global connectivity. Tickets for all routes are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting from 54.99€. The new ultra-low-cost routes are another step toward a growing presence in Saudi, which will support the growing tourism sector in the country, supporting Vision 2030 and the Saudi National Aviation Strategy which will see Saudi increase its international flight connectivity from 99 to 250+ destinations by 2030. Enabling increased connectivity, the new ultra-low-cost routes will provide greater accessibility for travelers from Europe looking to make their way to the region before, during, and after the World Cup. Increasing the range of options and competitiveness of airlines serving Saudi will further reduce the cost of travel. The CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, said: "Today's announcement of 20 new routes to Saudi is one of the largest such announcements anywhere in the world. It is a real first for Wizz Air and for Saudi, and opens a new and affordable gateway for visitors from Europe that will allow everyone to come and explore the world's most exciting new destination. This is already an exceptional partnership and today is just the start. We are making it easier than ever to get to Saudi and are confident that increased travel options and competitiveness will expand consumer choice and drive down costs." The CEO of Wizz Air, Jozsef Varadi, said: "Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting countries in the world for aviation portraying an eclectic mix of travel opportunities with unmissable destinations, countless exciting attractions, and a thriving cultural scene. Today’s announcement follows the Memorandum of Understanding we recently signed with the government enabling us to contribute to Saudi tourism’s growth and its entire ecosystem. Not only does Wizz Air offer incredibly low fares to travelers given our operational efficiency, but we also fly one the youngest, most modern, and sustainable fleet of aircraft in the world. I see the Kingdom as a long-term strategic market for Wizz Air where we will continue to innovate and carry the flag of low cost flying for the benefit of Saudi residents and visitors as well as the country’s diversifying economy." The CEO of The Air Connectivity Program, Khalil Lamrabet, said: "We are pleased to have been able to work with Wizz Air to grow its network to Saudi Arabia; the announced routes are a testament to the strong traffic potential that the Kingdom has to offer. We look forward to welcoming these new flights into the Kingdom’s expanding network and to working with Wizz Air to explore other route opportunities in Saudi Arabia." The CEO of Matarat, Mohammed Ahmed Almowkley, said: "We at Matarat are working with our partners and airline companies to provide an attractive environment at Saudi airports for airlines and passengers to offer better choices with high-quality services, and this work is an extension to the previous announcement with Wizz Air to operate direct flights from King Fahd International Airport to three diverse international destinations. Matarat will continue on this path to achieve the National Aviation Strategy objectives which are part of the Saudi 2030 vision." Wizz Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported by the Saudi National Air Connectivity Program to support the development of the Saudi tourism sector. The Air Connectivity Program, which aims to establish new international routes by stimulating and supporting airlines, contributes to expanding into new markets and facilitates the growth of the aviation and tourism sector by increasing the number of direct international destinations to 250 by 2030. The MoU reflects a shared vision between the parties on the potential Wizz Air could bring to the country to stimulate tourist demand, thereby making a significant contribution to Saudi Arabia’s planned growth. The easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the removal of PCR test requirements for vaccinated travelers has made travel simpler again, allowing for more spontaneous trips abroad. Saudi Arabia has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions as of March 2022. For ultimate peace of mind during this uncertain time, passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can cancel their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit. Riyadh, the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia, is a modern metropolis with popular landmarks and must-see architecture. A hub of global business, the administrative and economic capital of the country is also host to world-class events like Riyadh Season and MDL Beast. Saudi Arabia’s roots can be traced to Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A $50.6BN masterplan is transforming Diriyah into the world’s most exciting cultural tourist destination that will welcome visitors to experience Michelin-star dining alongside interactive museums, with traditions at the core. Jeddah, the perfect blend of old and modern, is a lively coastal city nestled on the Red Sea. Saudi second biggest city and a vital gateway to Makkah, Jeddah’s history of trade and pilgrimage characterize the city with endless memorable experiences. Al Balad is Jeddah’s historical district and UNESCO World Heritage Site where visitors can admire the antique designs of balconies, stone walkways and ancient sidewalks. Dammam, a modern metropolis nestled on the tranquil Arabian Gulf, offers visitors green parks, airy waterfronts, and sandy beaches alongside bustling arts, sports, and entertainment scenes. The capital of the Eastern Province, Dammam is a popular location with adventure travelers, who can enjoy fishing, diving, and swimming. -- SPA 18:02 LOCAL TIME 15:02 GMT 0021 www.spa.gov.sa/w1776930