OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2012.  Wizz Air, Hungary’s low-cost, low-fare airline, celebrated its maiden flight between London-Luton and Debrecen today. This low-fares route will be operated three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Wizz Air had announced earlier that other low-cost Debrecen routes (to/from Eindhoven and Milan-Malpensa) will commence in Winter 2012. Seats on these routes are available from 3590 HUF*.

 With the start of Wizz Air’s Debrecen operations, those living in Eastern Hungary will now have easy and affordable access to London, Europe’s most important financial hub and a favourite tourist destination. In addition, the route is expected to attract tourists to Hungary’s second largest city. Debrecen is known for its downtown historical center, thermal baths, and the popular Flower Carnival. Wizz Air expects that the three routes to/from Debrecen will deliver approximately 100,000 passengers in the first year and create up to 100 jobs in the region.

 “Wizz Air is pleased to celebrate this important milestone for the Debrecen region. Across our network of over 240 routes we see many success stories and now that our low fares have landed in Debrecen we will deliver tourism growth and support much needed job growth. This investment is just the latest example of our commitment to our home country, Hungary.” - said Jozsef Varadi, Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air.

 “We expect that the London-Luton–Debrecen flight will boost the economic development of Debrecen and its region and contribute to the growth of the city’s health tourism. It will also create new jobs and have a positive effect on the tourism of the whole of Hungary’s eastern region. To maximize the advantages of the new flights, Debrecen has initiated cooperation with the cities of the neighbouring counties including; Miskolc, Nyiregyhaza, Eger, Tokaj Wine Region, Hajduszoboszlo and Balmazъjvбros. The Tourist Region will now be unified under a common corporate design and will organize joint efforts at the most recognized trade events, including the World Travel Market exhibition in London at the beginning of November 2012.” - said Lajos Kosa, Mayor of Debrecen.

 “Starting the scheduled air traffic was a great challenge for employees of the airport, as we received the right to operate Debrecen Airport only a few months ago. The airport has been transformed significantly in the last 6 months, staffing and facilities have been upgraded in order to be prepared to welcome further flights. We are grateful for the support we have received from the local government of Debrecen and from the trade associations in preparing for this important day.” - said Istvan Herdon, Director of Xanga Investment and Development Group, responsible for the operation of Debrecen Airport.