Wizz Air launched this Tuesday its new operational base in Madrid, just after yesterday's opening in Valencia, as part of a phase of expansion and growth of the low-cost airline in the Spanish market, which will also add a base in Santiago de Compostela starting in December.
With two Airbus A321neo permanently assigned to Madrid, the company will increase its capacity to meet demand in the capital. The airline has put on sale 2.6 million seats distributed across 27 routes connecting Madrid with 12 different countries.
This commitment will make it possible to improve travel in both directions: residents will have direct access to a greater number of destinations, while tourists and business travelers will have new options to fly to Madrid.
The company expects the Madrid base to generate more than 80 direct jobs, mainly among pilots and cabin crew. In addition, Wizz Air's growth plan could contribute to the creation of more than 3,000 indirect jobs in airport services, tourism, hospitality, and related activities.
At a press conference, the general director of Wizz Air Malta, Mauro Peneda, stressed that the opening of this base in Madrid represents a key advance in the airline's strategy for the capital.
"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," he said.
Expansion plan in Spain
The launch of the Madrid base is integrated into Wizz Air's investment policy in the country. During the first half of 2026, the airline transported 8.6 million travelers and carried out 28,000 operations in Spain, figures that reinforce the weight of the Spanish market within its European network.
In Valencia, the company will also base two latest-generation Airbus A321neo and will operate a total of 23 routes to eight countries. This new base will entail a 76% increase in capacity at the Valencia airport, reaching 3.6 million seats offered.
The project in Valencia also contemplates the creation of more than 80 direct jobs and more than 2,500 indirect jobs.
Currently, Wizz Air is present in 16 Spanish airports, with a network of 151 routes connecting 15 countries, although until now it did not have any base on national territory. Over the course of its 22 years of operations in Spain, it has transported more than 15 million passengers.
The airline has just closed a record summer season in Spain, after moving 3.8 million travelers on flights originating in or destined for the country, which represents an increase of 51% compared with the same period in 2025.
This stage of expansion of the 'low cost' in Spain will be completed with the opening of a third base in Santiago de Compostela on December 17, where it will permanently station an aircraft that will operate seven routes, five domestic and two international.
Solidarity and new domestic routes
Coinciding with the opening of the Madrid base, Wizz Air has wanted to express its support for the people affected in Spain by the recent railway accident.
In this context, the company will launch two new domestic routes that will link Madrid with Málaga and Sevilla starting on November 6. Two daily frequencies will be operated on each link, in order to offer additional transport alternatives to those who need to meet with their families, travel for work reasons or other essential trips.
The fares on these routes will start at 45.99 euros and will not exceed 99.99 euros, with the aim of facilitating access to air transport while interruptions in rail service persist.