The Hungary-based airline confirmed the base will launch on 14 September, marking its seventh base in Italy and 40th worldwide. One aircraft will initially be stationed at the airport, with a second to follow from 25 October.

The expansion will allow Wizz Air to introduce seven new routes, including domestic services to Rome Fiumicino and Naples, alongside five Spanish destinations: Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia and Malaga.

The airline said the move will see it operate 16 routes to eight countries from Turin this year, offering nearly 1.3 million seats and more than doubling its capacity at the airport compared with the previous year.

Ahead of the base opening, the carrier will also launch additional services as part of its summer schedule, including flights to Palermo from 4 May and London Luton from 9 June.

Andras Szabo, network officer at Wizz Air, said: "It is a tangible investment in the region, capable not only of generating economic value and employment, but also of significantly contributing to making Turin and Piedmont increasingly accessible, dynamic and competitive within the European landscape."

He added that the new base would “strengthen connectivity in Northern Italy”.

From mid September, the airline will operate 11 weekly flights between Turin and Rome Fiumicino. Services to Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia will also begin at the same time, followed by Madrid and Malaga on 25 and 26 October respectively. Flights to Naples are scheduled to start from 1 December.

Wizz Air has been operating from Turin since 2004, and the latest expansion reflects continued growth in the Italian market.

The increased connectivity is expected to boost tourism and business travel in the Piedmont region, while providing passengers with a wider choice of low fare routes across Europe.

The airline said the investment underlines its long term commitment to Italy as it continues to expand its network across the continent.