Wizz Air replaces bankrupt PLAY on flights between Vilnius and Keflavik

Wizz Air has announced that it will begin flying between the two capitals of Lithuania and Iceland, essentially replacing PLAY, the only airline that flew the route, once Wizz Air itself ended its flights on the itinerary in January 2024.

On November 28, 2025, Wizz Air said that starting March 30, 2026, it will run a twice-weekly run between Vilnius Airport (VNO) and Keflavik Reykjavik International Airport (KEF), with fares starting at €49.99 ($57.83). Flights will depart on Mondays and Fridays.

Salvatore Gabriele Imperiale, the Corporate Communications Manager of Wizz Air, said that the route will bring one of Europe’s most extraordinary destinations closer to Lithuania. “Iceland offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and adventure, and we are proud to expand our network with another inspiring destination,” Imperiale added, stating that the route reflected Wizz Air’s commitment to Lithuania and its mission to provide cheap and accessible travel options across Europe.

The VNO-KEF route addition comes on top of Wizz Air’s previous expansion from Lithuanian airports. In September, the low-cost carrier unveiled seven new routes from VNO and Palanga Airport (PLQ), split between six and one new connection, respectively, and in October, Wizz Air announced that it will begin flying between VNO and Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport (GDN).

“As part of this growth, Wizz Air will also allocate a third Airbus A321neo aircraft to its Vilnius base during Winter 2025, increasing capacity, creating additional jobs, and making Wizz Air the second-largest airline in Lithuania by market share,” the low-cost carrier highlighted.

Wizz Air will once again fly from all three airports in Lithuania

Wizz Air, which has been recalibrating its network, is bolstering its positions in a competitive market.

The Engine CowlRytis Beresnevicius

Simonas Bartkus, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lithuanian Airports, noted that the airline’s (re)new(ed) route will ensure continuity on flights between VNO and KEF, “offering convenient travel opportunities for passengers planning trips to Iceland.”

Wizz Air, which last flew between VNO and KEF until January 2024, according to Cirium’s Diio Mi, will be replacing PLAY, the Icelandic low-cost carrier that had attempted to transform its business and focus on direct leisure routes from KEF, but ultimately declared bankruptcy in late September.

PLAY, which also had an office in Vilnius, Lithuania, began flying the route on April 18, 2024, offering one flight per week that briefly grew to two weekly flights between May 2025 and August 2025, per Cirium’s Diio Mi.

The Icelandic low-cost carrier’s last flight from VNO to KEF departed on September 26, with the return itinerary landing at VNO on the same day at 22:20 local time (UTC +3), according to Flightradar24.

Iceland’s PLAY ceases operations

PLAY had unsuccessfully attempted to pivot from transatlantic low-cost services to direct leisure connections and wet lease operations.

The Engine CowlRytis Beresnevicius