Wizz Air, the European low-cost airline, has just unveiled exciting news for travelers from London - they will be the first airline to provide a non-stop flight to Medina, Saudi Arabia. Revealed on February 25, 2025, the new route will connect London Gatwick Airport to Medina Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport starting from August 1, 2025. Marion Geoffroy, the Managing Director of Wizz Air in the UK, shared, “We are thrilled to introduce this new route from London Gatwick to Medina. It marks a significant milestone for the airline as we extend our reach from the UK to destinations beyond Europe.”

This groundbreaking route to Medina will be the second from the UK utilizing the advanced Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Back in September 2024, Wizz Air had already made headlines by announcing its inaugural daily flight to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, set to commence on March 31, 2025. Further detailing their plans, Wizz Air offered exclusive insights into their upcoming Airbus A321XLR fleet, with the first aircraft expected to join their ranks in late February 2025.

The airline anticipates that the new route to Medina will attract hundreds of thousands of new visitors annually to the city, renowned for its significance in religious tourism. With plans to make over 174,000 seats available per year to this holy destination, the airline is confident that the introduction of the Airbus A321 XLR aircraft will fuel their continued expansion in the Middle East. Currently, Wizz Air operates nearly 100 routes in the region, with a presence in Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, Wizz Air underlined that incorporating Medina into their UK network aligns with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, a governmental scheme aimed at driving diversification and economic growth in Saudi Arabia. Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development at London Gatwick, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is an exciting announcement from Wizz Air and complements their route to Jeddah which commences next month.”

She further added, “Medina will be a new route from London Gatwick, so it is great to be able to offer more choice to our passengers with a second destination in Saudi Arabia, particularly as Medina is considered the second of the three holiest cities in Islamic tradition.” With the increasing accessibility to this culturally and historically significant destination, travelers are in for a treat with increased options for exploring this unique corner of the world.