Friday, March 21, 2025
Universal Air boosts travel from Hungary to Malta and Germany with new direct flights launching this March, offering fresh options for spring and summer travelers.
Universal Air Adds New Connections from Debrecen to Malta and Leipzig
Universal Air, a Malta-based carrier, is set to launch new seasonal routes from Debrecen International Airport, connecting the eastern Hungarian city with Malta and the German city of Leipzig. The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart on Sunday, 30 March. These routes mark a fresh expansion of the airline’s operations, following a brief stint in Pécs last year.
Flights from Pécs Paused Until May
The airline previously launched flights linking Pécs with Malta and Munich ahead of Hungary’s municipal elections in June 2023. Corfu, Greece, was also added to the schedule later. However, all routes were suspended in January without public explanation, though operations are expected to resume in May. Experts speculate that the pause was due to low passenger numbers during the winter months.
Debrecen Airport Rebounding with New Routes
Debrecen International Airport has faced a tough year, especially after Wizz Air closed its base there in July 2024, causing most regular services to cease. Despite the setback, the airport’s management worked behind the scenes to re-establish connections, and their efforts are paying off.
Several carriers have recently announced new services from Debrecen. Lufthansa is ramping up its Munich flights from three to five per week, while Wizz Air will resume flights to Larnaca, Cyprus, from 1 April until late October.
New charter routes are also on the way. Destinations like Heraklion in Crete, Antalya in Türkiye, and Monastir in Tunisia will soon be available. The Smartwings group will add weekly flights from Debrecen to Barcelona and Tirana starting in June.
Universal Air Joins the Debrecen Revival
Universal Air’s upcoming service will provide direct connections to Malta and Leipzig twice a week, using De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft. The inaugural flight will arrive in Debrecen from Malta on Sunday afternoon, then head to Leipzig, returning to Debrecen and eventually flying back to Malta on 31 March. These flights will operate every Thursday and Sunday throughout the summer.
In 2024, Debrecen’s airport saw 220,000 passengers. Wizz Air maintained flights to London, while Lufthansa continued its Munich service. Wizz Air is also set to revive its Tel Aviv connection in April.
Positive Outlook for Regional Tourism
The Leipzig city council welcomed the new connection, hinting at broader opportunities for regional economic and tourism growth. Debrecen’s local government highlighted that 2024 marked a record year for tourism, with over 690,000 guest nights recorded—234,000 of those from international travelers.
With new partnerships and routes in place, Debrecen is poised to regain its status as a vital regional travel hub.
