A month after confirming that Wizz Air will open a base at Palermo Airport (PMO), the low-cost carrier has unveiled further growth plans in the country over the past week, including the latest addition of another aircraft to its base at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Growing in Rome
On March 19, 2026, Wizz Air released a short statement, confirming that this October, it will base its 17th Airbus A321neo at FCO, meaning that it will add 500,000 additional seats annually, resulting in 12 new routes to nine countries.
“From Malta to Oslo, Kefalonia to Tallinn, and Menorca to Târgu Mureș – Rome is now even better connected for your next getaway, business trip, or visit to loved ones.”
Wizz Air will also be adding frequencies “to top summer favourites,” which includes at least nine destinations, four of which are in Central and Eastern Europe.
“Looking ahead, our plan is to offer over 9.1 million seats from Rome in 2026, a 22.5% increase year-on-year.”
The expansion at FCO was announced shortly after the low-cost carrier placed its 10th aircraft at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), and its fourth aircraft at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).
The 10th aircraft at MXP will come online on October 25, coinciding with the beginning of the winter 2026/2027 season, while the fourth A321neo will be operational at VCE “from September 2026.”
At MXP, the addition will result in five new international and two domestic routes. At VCE, the additional aircraft will enable Wizz Air to add four new international and one domestic route.
Rytis Beresnevicius
One of the fastest-growing airlines in Italy
According to Cirium’s Diio Mi, Wizz Air, is already one of the fastest-growing airlines in Italy, despite being one of the largest carriers in the country.
Ryanair, which has not published its full schedule beyond October, ranks first in the country, and by a long shot. Out of the total departing ASKs from Italy to European destinations, the Irish low-cost carrier will have a market share of 39% during the first 10 months of 2026.
Ryanair has also been growing in Italy, adding over 6% more departures and 7.5% more ASKs. However, several of its announcements about its planned schedules at Italian airports included calls to lower taxes and/or charges, promising additional growth if regional governments or airports cave to its demands.
Meanwhile, Wizz Air’s Italy-to-Europe share was 9.9% during the first 10 months of 2025, growing to 11.7% this year.
easyJet, another European low-cost carrier, enjoyed a market share of 10.7%.
Rytis Beresnevicius
