RIMINI connects to KATOWICE and SOFIA
The opening of these two new routes strengthens the role of the Romagna Riviera as a preferred destination for the growing flow of Hungarian and Polish travelers and enhances the international accessibility of the region for passengers from Emilia-Romagna
Wizz Air, the airline chosen this year by over 19 million passengers in Italy, and AIRiminum, the management company of Federico Fellini Airport, announced the launch of two new direct routes from Rimini to Poland and Bulgaria: Katowice and Sofia. This dual expansion aims to boost connectivity between Italy and Central-Eastern Europe in response to increasing demand from leisure and business travelers.
The flights will be operated with Airbus A321neo aircraft, which offer lower fuel consumption, greater efficiency, and improved onboard comfort, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to providing a high-quality travel experience at affordable prices.
● Rimini – Sofia: The route will launch on March 31, 2026, with three-weekly frequencies on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
● Rimini – Katowice: The service will start on June 8, 2026, operating twice a week on Monday and Friday.
Rimini is the heart of the Romagna Riviera, famous for its lively beaches and significant Roman and Fellini heritage. Katowice, a dynamic center of Silesia, has transformed from an industrial hub into a cultural and technological hub, hosting internationally renowned festivals. Sofia, one of Europe’s oldest capitals, captivates visitors with Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman ruins, and proximity to the Vitosha mountain range.
The opening of routes to Katowice and Sofia not only broadens choices for Italian travellers but also actively supports bidirectional tourism to the Romagna Riviera, reaffirming its attractiveness for Central and Eastern European markets. The announcement of these two new connections follows shortly after the launch of the Rimini-Budapest route, which will operate three times a week starting from June 8, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
This expansion is strategic, given the excellent performance of the Romagna Riviera in 2025: over 71,000 booked passengers (+18% compared to 2024), a 16% increase in on-time performance, and a 100% completion rate (no cancelled flights). Enhancing Wizz Air’s connections significantly contributes to the growth of international tourism, with new routes serving as key drivers for the Region’s appeal.
Salvatore Gabriele Imperiale, Corporate Communications Manager of Wizz Air, stated: “We are excited to announce another significant dual route launch in Rimini. The city is becoming an important pillar in our strategic expansion across Italy: these new routes to Katowice and Sofia come just days after the introduction of the Budapest connection, further strengthening Rimini’s role as a key hub between Italy and Central-Eastern Europe. Our commitment remains unchanged: to offer ultra-affordable fares, more choices, and a high-quality travel experience in order to continue connecting Italy with the rest of Europe and beyond. Let’s WIZZ more and more, Rimini!”
Leonardo Corbucci, CEO of AIRiminum, said: “We are thrilled to announce the two new Wizz Air routes for Summer 2026: Sofia and Katowice. This additional step in strengthening the partnership between Wizz Air and Fellini Airport highlights a significant growth outlook starting from Summer 2026. The joint goal in this new multi-year agreement is to continue growing together substantially. The Sofia route, operating throughout the summer season, opens our airport to an expanding market and links Romagna to another fascinating European capital, enriching the airport’s ‘network of capitals.’ Katowice becomes the third direct connection with Poland, a country that has proven increasingly strategic for the Romagna Riviera in recent years, appreciated by tourism operators for its high quality and significant development potential. These new routes will further reinforce the region’s international connectivity, supporting the growth of tourism flows and increasing the overall attractiveness of Romagna.”
“Every week, the Fellini network of European connections expands,” comments Roberta Frisoni, Regional Councillor for Tourism, Commerce, and Sport. “The region and territory are working closely together on this. Just yesterday, regional tourism promotion representatives returned from the B2B ‘Buy Italy’ itinerant workshop in Warsaw, which included airlines, tour operators, and journalists—an important opportunity for the Polish market. Air connections form the foundation of our communication and internationalization project, carried out in partnership with the municipalities of the Rimini province.”
“Rimini continues to strengthen its role as an international gateway,” states Rimini Mayor Jamil Sadegholvaad. “The announcement of these two new Wizz Air routes for spring-summer is a concrete sign of the growth of our airport and the region’s appeal. They expand opportunities for tourism and economic exchange and further solidify partnerships between AIRiminum, APT Servizi, and the local municipalities in developing Rimini’s airport. After a summer marked by numerous international carriers’ arrivals and ahead of the major Routes Europe 2026 event, these new flights confirm our direction: fostering an increasingly international tourism system capable of engaging dynamic markets like Eastern Europe, which has shown steady growth in recent years. Rimini is becoming more accessible, competitive, and ready to welcome new opportunities for citizens, businesses, and visitors. This also confirms that the investments we have made since 2024 in international promotion through Fellini Airport are already producing tangible results for the entire Rimini socio-economic fabric.”