Wizz Air will add two new direct routes from Tel Aviv to Venice and Thessaloniki, with service starting in late 2025, the airline confirmed on August 14, 2025. The expansion strengthens the low-cost link between Israel and Southern Europe after a year of flight cuts and shifting schedules, and it sets up a fresh battle over fares and market share on two popular leisure routes.
New route details and fares
Wizz Air’s new services and headline fares are:
- Tel Aviv → Thessaloniki
- Launch date: October 28, 2025
- Frequency: three times weekly
- Listed return fare: $187 (about 318 shekels one-way, before baggage fees)
- Tel Aviv → Venice
- Launch date: December 1, 2025
- Frequency: two flights per week
- Listed return fare: $265 (about 450 shekels one-way, not including luggage or carry-on)
On Venice, Wizz Air will go head-to-head with El Al, currently the only other airline flying direct between Israel and the Italian city. On Thessaloniki, Wizz will face El Al, Israir, and Arkia.
Tickets, baggage, and booking advice
- Tickets are on sale on Wizz Air’s digital channels.
- Flights operate from Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) to Venice Marco Polo Airport and Thessaloniki International Airport.
- As with Wizz Air’s other ultra-low-cost offers, the base price excludes bags.
- The standard ticket does not include checked luggage or a carry-on; extra fees apply for both.
- Travelers should compare the full price after adding baggage and seat choice, not only the headline fare.
Important travel-planning tips:
– Budget for add-ons (checked luggage and carry-on).
– Book early to secure better prices and preferred days.
– Check flight days carefully: with 2x weekly to Venice and 3x weekly to Thessaloniki, schedules are limited at launch and may not match all trip timetables.
Market context and competitive impact
This announcement is part of Wizz Air’s wider push to grow in Israel. The airline already serves Tel Aviv–Rome, Tel Aviv–Milan, Tel Aviv–Naples (Italy) and Tel Aviv–Athens, Crete, Rhodes (Greece). The new Venice and Thessaloniki links help fill demand left by Ryanair, which paused Israel operations earlier in 2025 because of security concerns.
- Ryanair is expected to return around the end of October 2025, though some cuts could stretch into winter if costs or conditions change.
- If Ryanair returns on schedule, price pressure between Israel and Europe will likely increase; two low-cost carriers could trigger wider sales.
- Wizz Air’s early move can pull down average fares, especially in lighter-demand weeks, forcing Israeli carriers to defend seats or offer more bundled value.
Key practical effects for travelers:
– More direct-route choices from Tel Aviv to Venice and Thessaloniki.
– A better shot at lower total prices outside peak weeks.
– A need to carefully check total costs after adding baggage and seat selection.
Hub talks, regulatory review, and industry reaction
Wizz Air is in talks with Israel’s Ministry of Transportation about establishing a local hub. A hub would allow the airline to base planes and crews in Israel, potentially lowering costs and enabling denser schedules.
- Israeli carriers warn a hub could hurt jobs and reduce their share of short-haul traffic.
- Supporters argue that lower prices and more capacity benefit the public and that local carriers can adapt by focusing on service, loyalty, and routes with stronger demand.
- The ministry is reviewing the proposal; no decision has been announced.
Possible outcomes:
1. Approval of a hub could lead to denser schedules, more rotations, and longer booking horizons.
2. Rejection or delay would keep the market closer to the current pattern: added routes but limited frequencies.
Visa, timing, and travel practicalities
- Standard Schengen visa rules apply for trips to Italy and Greece.
- Passengers who need a visa should check the European Commission’s visa policy page for country-by-country rules, fees, and processing times: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en.
- Processing times and appointment slots can tighten before holidays, so planning ahead matters.
Timing and scheduling notes:
– Families and travelers who need specific departure/arrival days should note limited initial frequencies.
– Schedules could expand if demand grows or if a hub allows more rotations.
Analysis and travel strategy
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Ryanair’s absence for much of 2025 gave Wizz Air room to expand and test fares without a direct low-cost rival on these city pairs. If Ryanair resumes Tel Aviv routes around late October, competition between low-cost carriers could widen sales and force Israeli carriers to respond.
Practical tips to find better deals:
– Book several weeks in advance.
– Avoid peak travel days (Fridays and Sundays) when possible.
– Carefully calculate total costs after baggage and seat fees.
– Look for travel windows when school calendars in Israel and destination countries don’t overlap.
Important: Wizz Air’s Tel Aviv links to Venice from December 1 (2x weekly, $265 return) and to Thessaloniki from October 28 (3x weekly, $187 return) are confirmed, with tickets available and baggage sold as extras. Travelers gain more choice, and the Israeli short-haul market faces a fresh test of price and capacity as winter plans take shape.
This Article in a Nutshell
Wizz Air will launch Tel Aviv–Thessaloniki October 28 and Tel Aviv–Venice December 1, 2025, boosting low-cost links, pressuring fares, and requiring travelers to budget for baggage fees and limited weekly frequencies when booking.
