Scandal at Budapest Airport: Dozens of passengers denied boarding by Wizz Air

This past weekend, Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport was the scene of significant disruption when Wizz Air denied boarding to dozens of passengers heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Approximately 80 to 100 travellers, including Hungarian citizens and international transit passengers, were left stranded due to issues with their visas.

Dozens of passengers denied boarding

According to Euronews, the crux of the problem revolved around the Hajj pilgrimage, an event requiring a special visa during its active period. Even though Wizz Air was reportedly informed about the new visa requirements a week in advance, they failed to notify passengers. The airline received an internal memo indicating that from 18 May to 6 June, only Hajj visas would be accepted for entry into Saudi Arabia, regardless of whether passengers were participating in the pilgrimage.

Passengers were caught off guard at the airport. Many had valid tourist visas or multiple-entry visas but were told they needed a specific Hajj visa to board the flight. Despite repeated attempts to contact Wizz Air’s customer service, passengers received no assistance, leading to frustration and confusion.

One affected passenger, a lawyer, described how they learned about the visa issue only at check-in. Despite not intending to participate in the pilgrimage, they were required to have a Hajj visa. The Hungarian Consular Service’s website lacked information about these specific restrictions. Additionally, the airline’s communication to passengers about the delay and necessary precautions did not include any mention of the visa requirement changes.

Wizz Air knew about the need for Hajj visas beforehand

In response to the complaints, Wizz Air stated that they had received instructions from Saudi authorities to accept only Hajj visas during this period. The airline later clarified that they had been in continuous communication with Saudi officials, who eventually provided conflicting information that all visa types would be accepted until further notice. Despite this, the airline enforced the initial instructions strictly, leaving many passengers without options.