Wizz Air launches new bases in Madrid and Valencia with millions of seats and new routes

Wizz Air, the popular low-cost Hungarian airline, launched two new operational bases in Spain this week in Valencia and Madrid, as part of a growth and expansion plan. The airline will also add another base in Santiago de Compostela beginning in December, giving residents and visitors in Spain a chance to travel for the winter holidays.

Wizz Air opens its first Spanish bases

The company opened its first-ever base in Valencia on Monday, November 2, and followed up with a new operational base in Madrid-Barajas on Tuesday, November 3. The latter boasts two Airbus A321neo, in order to increase the airline’s capacity to meet demand in the Spanish capital.

Madrid gains new routes and flight capacity

Along with these new bases, Wizz Air has put 2.6 million seats up for sale, distributed across 27 routes. Madrid is now connected with 12 different countries through the airline, and according to Wizz Air, the Madrid base is expected to generate more than 80 direct jobs.

In the Madrid base, the domestic routes include flights to Asturias; Palma de Mallorca; and Santiago de Compostela.

Madrid has been a particular focus for the initiative of this airline. According to the general director of Wizz Air Malta, Mauro Peneda: “Madrid occupies a fundamental place in Spain’s tourism and business landscape, and we want to make it easier for its residents to travel to more European destinations, while attracting a greater number of visitors to the city.”

Valencia: Connecting residents, expats and holidaymakers to the Spanish hub

In Valencia, the airline will operate a total of 23 routes to eight different countries, increasing capacity by 76 per cent at the Valencia airport and reaching 3.6 million seats offered. More than 80 direct jobs are expected to be created thanks to this new base as well.

The Valencian base opened with domestic routes to Asturias, with five weekly frequencies; Santiago de Compostela, with four; Brașov, with three; and Santander, with two. In December, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca and Naples will be added, totalling seven destinations.

Wizz Air’s summer of success in Spain

The launch of these bases is a direct result of Wizz Air’s successful first half of the year; the airline transported 8.6 million travellers and carried out an impressive 28,000 operations in Spain from January to June 2026. Additionally, the airline just closed a record peak season in Spain, moving 3.8 million travellers during the summer, representing a 51 per cent increase compared to the summer of 2025.

Over its 22 years of operation, the low-cost airline has transported more than 15 million passengers. Currently, the airline is present in 16 Spanish airports, with a network of 151 routes connecting 15 countries, although this is the first time the Hungarian company has operated a base from Spain.

Thanks to these new bases and connections, residents will have more direct access to a greater number of destinations, while tourists and business travellers have new options to fly to the Spanish hubs of Madrid and Valencia.

Wizz Air’s Santiago de Compostela base is expected to open on December 17 and will permanently station an aircraft operating seven routes: five domestic and two international.

Standing in solidarity with victims of Spanish railway tragedy

In addition to these exciting new ventures, Wizz Air is also standing in solidarity with the people in Spain affected by the recent railway tragedy: the company will launch two new domestic routes that will link Madrid with Malaga and Sevilla starting on Friday, November 6. Two daily frequencies will be operated on each connection, allowing more options for those who need to meet with their families, travel for work reasons or make other essential trips. These trips will begin at €45.99, and will not exceed €99.99.