Ryanair & Wizz Air: Warsaw Modlin Airport Battle Heats Up

” Over the next 3 years, many thanks to shut collaboration between Ryanair and the flight terminal, Warsaw Modlin will once again be the fastest-growing airport terminal in Poland,” Ryanair Team chief executive officer Michael O’Leary said.

Wizz had put on hold procedures at Modlin in 2012 due to path concerns, yet is currently returning as part of a broader network shift towards strengthening its existence in core Central and Eastern European markets.

Wizz Air’s Return to Modlin

Faced with continuous groundings across its A320neo-family fleet due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine concerns, the airline company is decreasing its exposure to “harsh and warm” settings such as Abu Dhabi. On the other hand, Poland– together with Hungary and Italy– has actually been identified as an essential development market.

Most paths will certainly operate 3 to 5 times per week, with everyday service to Bergamo and 6X-weekly flights to Malta prepared for the winter season. Wizz expects to supply more than 500,000 seats each year from the airport terminal, located around 25 mi. north of the Polish resources.

Wizz’s return to Modlin follows a statement from Ryanair previously this month. On July 8, the Irish ULCC signed a multi-year arrangement with WMI to triple its annual traveler traffic– from 1.5 million to more than 5 million by 2030. The offer includes airport upgrades by 2027 and a dedication by Ryanair to boost its base from 4 to eight Boeing 737s and add up to 25 brand-new routes.

Ryanair is presently the only scheduled airline company operating at Modlin, offering 35 locations and approximately 17,700 weekly separation seats, according to OAG Schedules Analyser information. The provider has scaled back its footprint in current years amidst previous conflicts over flight terminal fees, moving some capability to Warsaw Chopin Flight Terminal (WAW).

Wizz Air’s choice to go back to Warsaw Modlin Airport Terminal (WMI) after a 13-year lack is set to heighten its rivalry with Ryanair in Poland, as both providers increase their battle for prominence in the country’s fast-growing low-cost market.

Many paths will certainly operate 3 to five times per week, with daily solution to Bergamo and 6X-weekly flights to Malta intended for the winter months season. Wizz anticipates to offer more than 500,000 seats every year from the airport terminal, situated around 25 mi. Wizz’s return to Modlin complies with a statement from Ryanair previously this month. The deal consists of airport terminal upgrades by 2027 and a commitment by Ryanair to raise its base from four to eight Boeing 737s and add up to 25 new courses.

Ryanair’s Perspective on Competition

Regardless of Wizz Air’s renewed press at Warsaw Modlin, Ryanair appears unfazed. Talking throughout the airline company’s July 21 incomes call, O’Leary stated: “We were somewhat amused … if Wizz wants to base more airplane in Central and Eastern Europe, all it will certainly do is highlight the massive cost benefit and cost benefit Ryanair has over Wizz and all of our various other rivals.”

The Hungarian airline company has actually confirmed that it will certainly base 2 Airbus A321neo aircraft at Modlin and launch 11 new paths beginning in December. First solutions to Athens, Barcelona and Bergen will certainly start Dec. 1, adhered to by added destinations consisting of Bergamo, Chișinău, Malta and Palermo from mid-December onward.

Wizz, at the same time, has a significant presence at WAW and is additionally flying from Warsaw Radom Airport, providing it a consolidated 22.8% market share in the Warsaw area, compared with Ryanair’s 8.1%. Great deal Gloss Airlines continues to lead with 46.9%– although its share has actually decreased from 49% in summertime 2019.

LCC Market Growth in Poland

Analysis of OAG information reveals that LCCs now account for 60.2% of all separation seats in Poland for summer 2025, up from 52.4% in 2019– underscoring the sector’s continued growth. Ryanair remains the marketplace leader, with approximately 32.5% of all seats from and within Poland this summer, followed by great deal and Wizz Air, each holding around 23.1%.