Wizz Air UK has become the first airline ever to operate a direct flight between London Gatwick and Medina (Madinah) in Saudi Arabia. Wizz Air marked the inaugural flight on Friday, 1st August, with a special celebration for passengers at London Gatwick, alongside the Saudi Tourism Authority and H.H. Princess Lolwa Al Saud.
Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director Wizz Air UK, commented: “We are so excited to see this new route take off. Being the first airline to provide a direct connection from London to Medina is a special moment for us as we live up to our mission of democratising aviation. With flights departing daily, we’re giving thousands of people the chance to reach the Holy City - some we expect for the very first time - at an affordable price. We are proud to be the airline that connects different cultures around the world, and we look forward to hearing our customers’ stories as they venture to this new destination.”
Jennifer Newman, Airlines Relations Manager, London Gatwick said: "We are delighted to welcome Wizz Air's second XLR service and new route connecting London Gatwick with Medina. The route will provide fantastic connectivity to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, expanding London Gatwick's intercontinental route network and providing more choice for passengers across London and the South East."
The new connection will run daily from London Gatwick, with tickets available for sale on wizzair.com and via Wizz Air’s official mobile app with fares as low as £134.99***, making it possible to fly there and back under £400.
Wizz Air is the first airline to offer a direct connection between London and Medina. Offering over 174,000 seats per year, the airline is making the Holy City, a destination famous for its religious tourism, even more accessible and affordable for UK travellers.
The new route is Wizz Air’s second UK flight using the longer-range Airbus XLR aircraft, following a new connection between London Gatwick and Jeddah launched earlier this year.
Adding Medina to Wizz Air’s network from the UK aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to boost diversification and economic transformation.
