Wizz Air flight to Budapest stranded in Abu Dhabi for more than 30 hours

Wizz Air flight from Abu Dhabi to Budapest has been delayed for more than 30 hours. It is not known when passengers will be able to get home.

Wizz Air flight delayed for 30 hours

Wizz Air’s flight from Abu Dhabi to Budapest has been delayed for 30 hours, a Telex reader reported.

The plane was due to take off at 7:10 PM local time on Tuesday. It was delayed by an hour and a half, check-in was done, and everyone boarded the plane.

“At that time, the local yellow-vested crew mechanics were still going in and out of the cockpit, and then the captain was going in and out of the plane. Finally, as if everything was in order, the flight attendants closed the doors as if we could take off, and the aisle was uncoupled from the plane, almost ready for take-off,” writes a Hungarian on the scene. But the plane remained on the ground. Later, staff members in yellow vests appeared again and the steward announced that they were experiencing a technical issue.

“The air conditioning slowly stopped working on the plane, the tension started to be palpable on board, while it was scorching 38 degrees outside. Those sitting in the front rows could clearly see the captain following the mechanics for a short while, looking puzzled, as if he didn’t know what was happening either,” a reader wrote to Telex.

Waiting for a day

The captain announced that the plane would not take off due to a sensor malfunction. Passengers were given food and accommodation, at around 4 AM. They were instructed to return to the airport by 8:30 AM. The plane was due to take off at noon, but 10 minutes before departure time there was no plane or crew in sight.

On Wednesday morning, passengers were kept waiting for four hours in a stuffy room without air conditioning. Passengers were not given any information, food or water. A Hungarian on the spot said, “we only got water and some Arabic spicy food to nibble on in the fifth hour”.

Wizz Air sent a written apology to passengers about what had happened and reassured them that cold sandwiches were on the way, up to two for the day. At this point, the passengers had been waiting for 27 hours.

“Although there is water in the buffet, you can only ask for coffee, the buffet does not provide water. One passenger has already gotten ill in the crowd and mothers try soothe their crying children. People are exhausted and desperate. We have now been delayed for 27 hours,” a Hungarian passenger said.

Wizz Air writes that the plane was unable to take off due to delayed repair work. While waiting, accommodation and meals were provided for passengers, although this took longer due to logistic challenges.

“The airline would like to apologise to all concerned for any inconvenience caused; the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft remains our top priority,” says Wizz Air.

Wizz Air reacts

“At 7:10 this morning, the Wizz Air flight from Abu Dhabi scheduled for 25 July arrived successfully in Budapest. The aircraft was unable to take off on time due to a sensor malfunction; technicians immediately started to rectify the problem, but due to the lengthy repair process, the airline eventually sent a relief flight to pick up the passengers.

The passengers stranded in Abu Dhabi were provided with accommodation and meals by a ground handling company contracted by Wizz Air.

The airline would like to apologise to all those affected for any inconvenience caused; the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft remains our top priority. Passengers affected by the rescheduling of their flight can request reimbursement of accommodation and other costs by presenting a copy of their invoice via the Wizz Air website or by contacting Wizz Air Customer Services,” issued the Hungarian low-cost airline.