Low-cost airline Wizz Air is to launch flights to a third destination from Bristol Airport, adding Slovakian city Kosice to Katowice in Poland and Bulgarian capital Sofia to its route network.
Flights to Kosice, which in 2013 jointly held the title of European Capital of Culture, start in October and will operate twice weekly. The city has been described as a “hidden gem” for tourists. 
Wizz Air, the largest low-cost carrier in Central and Eastern Europe, introduced the first direct flights between Bristol and Katowice two months ago. Flights to Sofia, which were announced earlier this month, will start next March.
The three routes strengthen Bristol Airport’s links with Eastern European – a fast-growing market for UK airports as the region opens up to tourism. It already connects to seven Polish cities as well as Budapest in Hungary, Bourgas in Bulgaria and Kaunas in Lithuania.
Bristol Airport head of aviation development, Peter Downes, said: “This is exciting news and we are delighted to welcome another new destination to the Wizz Air route network from Bristol Airport.
“Wizz Air is opening up new, previously unserved markets for passengers in the South West and Wales, and these destinations offer customers more choice than ever before when planning a city break getaway.
“As a previous holder of European Capital of Culture, and serving as a gateway to six UNESCO world heritage sites including the world-famous Tokaj wine region, Kosice is one of the hidden gems of Eastern Europe.”
Kosice, on the river Hornad, has a well-preserved historical centre with many historical buildings, palaces and churches. The city is near the border with Hungary and close to the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains. It is the second largest city in Slovakia after the capital Bratislava.
Wizz Air corporate communications manager Tamara Mshvenieradze added: “We are thrilled to announce the excellent news for customers in the South West of the UK.
“From 10 October we will fly from Bristol to Kosice every Tuesday and Saturday, making our newest Slovakian destination famous for beautiful architecture and rich cultural heritage ideal for short city breaks.”
Fares on Wizz Air flights from Bristol start at £15.49. The Budapest-based airline operates a fleet of 63, 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft connecting more than 110 destinations across nearly 40 countries in a route network stretching from Barcelona and Belfast to Warsaw, Oslo and Dubai.
