Wizz Air Launches London Gatwick to Hurghada Flights for January 2027

Wizz Air UK will commence direct weekly flights linking London Gatwick Airport with Hurghada on 11 January 2027, with introductory fares starting at £91.99 to meet surging British demand for affordable winter sun and Red Sea diving.

The launch of the nonstop Gatwick-to-Hurghada service reinforces the ultra-low-cost carrier’s aggressive leisure expansion from the United Kingdom into North Africa's premier coastal playgrounds. Operating every Monday, the winter seasonal service provides British travelers residing in South London, Surrey, Sussex, and the South East with a direct, budget-friendly pathway to Egypt’s eastern coastline, bypassing congested northern airports.

The new flight joins Wizz Air’s existing Gatwick connection to Sharm El Sheikh and complements its established flight schedule from London Luton Airport (LTN), which operates services to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Cairo. By providing multiple London gateway options, the carrier is responding to sustained holidaymaker interest in destinations that combine warm winter weather, pristine coral reef diving, and accessible desert excursions.

The Local Trend Revealed: Affordable Winter Sun Corridors Expand

The January 2027 launch addresses strong consumer preference for short-haul and mid-haul warm-weather holidays that deliver high value without the expense of long-haul tropical journeys:

Route Parameter	Operational Detail & Scheduling Specifics
Inaugural Flight Date	11 January 2027
Route Pairing	London Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Hurghada International Airport (HRG)
Weekly Frequency	1x Weekly (operating every Monday throughout the winter season)
Starting Airfare	Fares from GBP 91.99 (one-way, subject to availability)
Sister Gatwick Route	London Gatwick (LGW) – Sharm El Sheikh (SSH)
Luton Hub Connections	London Luton (LTN) to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Cairo
Primary Seasonal Appeal	Red Sea marine biodiversity, winter sun relaxation, desert heritage

Strategic Timing for Peak Winter Escapes

According to Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, the service is positioned deliberately to capture holidaymakers seeking relief from Britain's mid-winter chill. With flight times hovering around five hours, travelers can depart Gatwick on a Monday morning and arrive in time for an afternoon swim in the Red Sea.

Hurghada has evolved from a sleepy fishing settlement into Egypt’s second-largest coastal resort city. The destination features modern waterfront boulevards at the Hurghada Marina, high-end diving liveaboards, traditional markets in the historic El Dahar district, and rugged desert terrain stretching toward the Red Sea mountain ranges.

Marine Conservation and Community Stewardship in the Red Sea

The expansion of low-cost flights into Hurghada underscores the necessity of balancing tourism volumes with fragile marine habitats:

HEPCA Mooring Buoy Networks: Dive operations across Hurghada adhere to guidelines set by the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA). By installing hundreds of permanent mooring buoys at popular reef sites such as Giftun Island and Abu Ramada, dive boats avoid dropping anchors directly onto fragile coral heads.
Support for Bedouin Desert Cooperatives: Beyond the shoreline, desert safari excursions collaborate with indigenous Bedouin clans in the Eastern Desert. Cultural desert dinners, camel treks, and astronomy tours channel tourism revenue directly into rural indigenous families.
Plastic Waste Reduction Initiatives: Municipal authorities in the Red Sea Governorate continue enforcing bans on single-use plastics across coastal dive shops and boat charters, safeguarding marine turtles, dugongs, and spinner dolphins from plastic contamination.

Local Insider Tips for Hurghada Visitors

Diving Windows and Packing Protocol

Wetsuit Selection for Winter: While winter air temperatures in Hurghada remain pleasant (averaging 22°C–25°C / 72°F–77°F), sea temperatures drop to approximately 21°C–23°C in January and February. Bring a 5mm full wetsuit (or rent one locally) alongside a windproof jacket for the boat journey back to the marina after dives.
Early Morning Reef Visits: Book dive or snorkeling boats that depart the marina before 08:00. Arriving early at popular sites like Sha'ab El Erg (famous for wild dolphin pods) allows you to experience marine life in tranquil waters before larger day-cruise vessels arrive.

Cultural Etiquette and Market Navigation

Dress Modestly in Town: While swimwear and resort clothes are standard on private hotel beaches and dive boats, dress conservatively (covering shoulders and knees) when exploring downtown El Dahar, visiting local spice souks, or admiring the El Mina Mosque.
Navigating Local Baksheesh: Tipping (baksheesh) is a customary part of Egyptian hospitality. Keep small Egyptian pound notes handy for hotel porters, boat crew members, and taxi drivers; tipping 10–15% for attentive service is warmly appreciated.

Local Culinary Specialties

Fresh Red Sea Seafood at El Mina: Visit the open-air fish market beside the fishing harbor in El Dahar. Select fresh red mullet (barbouni) or sea bass caught that morning, and have nearby cookshops grill it over charcoal with garlic, fresh lemon juice, and cumin.
Traditional Egyptian Koshari: Head into downtown Hurghada to sample a hearty bowl of koshari—a classic combination of rice, macaroni, and brown lentils topped with spiced tomato sauce, garlic vinegar, and crispy fried onions for under £2.

Under-the-Radar Excursions

Mons Claudianus Roman Ruins: Take a guided day trip inland into the jagged Red Sea hills to visit Mons Claudianus, a remarkably preserved 1st-century Roman garrison and quarry where granodiorite columns were chiseled for the Pantheon in Rome.
Orange Bay at Giftun Island: Book an afternoon water-taxi to the secluded southern sandbars of Big Giftun Island to wade through turquoise shallows reminiscent of the Maldives without the long-haul flight.

Tourism Outlook: Strengthening Egypt's Year-Round Appeal

Wizz Air’s new Gatwick-to-Hurghada route marks another step in democratizing access to the Red Sea Riviera. By offering competitive direct fares starting from £91.99, the airline provides cost-conscious travelers with a dependable alternative to costly winter sun destinations.

As air links between Britain and Egypt’s coastal airports deepen, Hurghada’s blend of world-class coral reefs, vibrant marina culture, and rich desert heritage ensures the Red Sea will remain a cornerstone of winter leisure travel for years to come.