Wizz Air Launches Bratislava-Kosice Air Route with First Flight (2)

Kosice, 21 November (TASR) - A new air route between Bratislava and Kosice served by Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air nine times a week using an Airbus A321 with a capacity of 239 seats was launched on Friday with a ceremonial first flight, TASR reported on the same day based on information from Kosice Airport. The first morning flight headed from Bratislava to Kosice and, subsequently, a total of 233 passengers took the opportunity to fly from Kosice to Bratislava, with an occupancy rate of more than 97 percent, according to Kosice Airport. Wizz Air was the winner of a public tender for the route called by the Transport Ministry. "I'm pleased that I've kept my promise today and that for the first time in more than six years our two largest cities are once again connected by an air service as a fast and safe way to get from one end of the country to the other," said Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee). He believes that passengers will use the route frequently and stressed that seat occupancy for the coming weeks is already at around 80 percent. The air route has significantly shortened travel times between western and eastern Slovakia, thus supporting business travel, family visits and tourism in both directions. Flights operate every day of the week, and twice on Mondays and Fridays. On weekdays and on Saturday, departures are at 6.30 a.m. from Bratislava and 8.05 a.m. from Kosice. On Monday and Friday there are additional departures at 4.10 p.m. from Bratislava and 5.45 p.m. from Kosice. On Sunday, flights depart at 1.55 p.m. from Bratislava and 3.30 p.m. from Kosice. "Today's inaugural flight between Bratislava and Kosice is a major step towards improving domestic air travel, and we're pleased to be part of it," said Wizz Air Network Development Manager Andras Szabo. Kosice Airport Director Thomas Dworschak stressed the importance of having a flight connection that takes less than one hour. "In terms of mobility in Slovakia, the new route is a huge step forward not only for managers and students, but also for families and those who simply want to enjoy a nice weekend on the opposite side of the country," he said. Among the first passengers arriving in Kosice was House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD), who had work to attend to in eastern Slovakia on Friday. He described the new route, which is operated with government support, as a success. "It's important for the city and for all those who need to travel to Bratislava, whether they commute weekly, have work or need to arrange something there for two hours, thus sparing them a 4.5-hour drive there and back," said Rasi. The benefits of the route for the city of Kosice, Kosice region and eastern Slovakia were also highlighted by Kosice region governor Rastislav Trnka and Kosice mayor Jaroslav Polacek. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 4, 6 and 9. jrg/df