Wizz Air is to close its base in Vienna next year, citing rising costs and a renewed focus on core markets as reasons.

The base opened in 2018 and grew to serve 28 routes in 20 countries. However, steep airport landing fees, high ground handling costs and a number of local taxes made Vienna a costlier place to operate from when compared to the airlines East European heartland.

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The wind-down starts on October 26 of this year, when two of the five A321neos stationed in Vienna will be redeployed. That will immediately halt flights to Bilbao, Spain, and London Gatwick. The remaining three aircraft will continue to operate until March 15, 2026, when Wizz Air will formally close its Austrian operations.

Around 250 Wizz employees will be affected by the closure. The airline said it will be offering support and redeploying them where possible.