Wizz Air plane in Milan. Photo: Leleb83 / Shutterstock Wizz Air continues Italy expansion. The low-cost airline has announced a new phase in the development of its base at Milan Malpensa Airport, in collaboration with SEA Milan Airports, in which a 10th aircraft will be deployed starting in October 2026.
The addition of the aircraft is expected to boost the number of available seats by about half a million per year and create about 40 direct jobs, along with more than 350 indirect jobs. After the expansion, the Malpensa base will operate 47 routes to 21 countries.
The company will also launch five new international routes from Milan to Dortmund, Bilbao, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, and Palma de Mallorca. In addition, domestic operations will be expanded with new routes to Naples and Palermo, with the route to Naples increasing from daily service to two flights per day starting in September.
The move comes after Wizz Air announced this week the closure of its base in Vienna, and as part of the company's recent operational changes across various European markets.
The move is part of Wizz Air's growth strategy in Italy, where it plans to operate approximately 27 million seats with a fleet of 36 aircraft at six bases by 2026. Since the start of its operations at Milan Malpensa, the company has flown more than 18.2 million passengers to and from the airport.
“Milan continues to play a key role in Wizz Air’s growth in Italy and Europe,” said Ian Malin, Wizz Air's Chief Commercial Officer, adding: “Milan continues to play a pivotal role in Wizz Air’s growth in Italy and across Europe. The addition of our 10th aircraft at Malpensa marks an important milestone in the development of this base and reflects our long-term commitment to the region. By expanding our network with new international destinations, strengthening key domestic connections and increasing capacity on high-demand routes, we are making travel even more accessible for passengers across Northern Italy. "
Aldo Schmid, Head of Aviation Business Development, SEA Milan Airports, concluded: "We welcome the announcement of Wizz Air’s tenth aircraft to be based at Milano Malpensa. This further investment confirms the airline’s confidence in the development of Malpensa, a strategic gateway for international connectivity in Northern Italy. This growth will help expand travel opportunities for passengers while supporting the development of traffic, tourism, and the regional economy. The announcement further strengthens a partnership that continues to grow and comes as we prepare for the summer season with a significant expansion of the offer, including new services, destinations, and increased frequencies.”