Wizz Air lands in Madrid and Valencia: two bases and domestic routes

Wizz Air is accelerating its bet on Spain. The Hungarian airline will open bases in Madrid and Valencia on November 2 and 3, with four aircraft stationed and a batch of routes mixing domestic and international flights.

As reported by Hosteltur, the new connections include:

• Domestic: Asturias, Palma de Mallorca, and Santiago de Compostela.
• International: Pisa, Brasov (Romania), and Naples.

CEO József Váradi highlights the commitment to the Iberian market, where the company will create jobs for cabin crew and pilots (recruitment processes in July and August). Plus, WIZZ Holidays lets travelers bundle flights with accommodation, a move that targets traditional OTAs.

My take: Wizz Air jumping into domestic routes within Spain is a sign of just how far the low-cost war has spread. With Ryanair and Vueling already entrenched, a fourth operator with its own bases in Madrid and Valencia could squeeze fares during the low season. Great for passengers, but watch out for profitability on short hauls. We will see if the ultra-low-cost model fits the Spanish domestic market, where the AVE high-speed train already sets the pace.