Romanian outbound tourism rises as Wizz Air reports 18% passenger growth

Despite a stagnant domestic economy, Romanians are travelling abroad in larger numbers. Wizz Air, the market‑leading low‑cost carrier, carried 7 million passengers in the first six months of 2026, an 18 % increase over the same period in 2025. The airline added about 14 % more seats and introduced new routes, while keeping existing services despite a seasonal adjustment of some flights.

In the first four months of the year Romanians spent €2.9 billion on overseas vacations, €400 million more than a year earlier, according to the National Bank of Romania. Outbound travel remains the only transport segment that grew, with 5.5 million of the 6 million air passengers in the first quarter flying on international routes. Domestic tourism fell, widening the tourism trade deficit to €1.5 billion. The surge shows that short‑haul leisure trips are viewed as an “antidote to the crisis” even as households face higher inflation and energy costs.