A Hungarian woman has been left without her newly acquired, custom-made wheelchair after it was reportedly stolen by another passenger at Málaga Airport in Spain. Spanish police are investigating the incident, while the family is seeking compensation from Wizz Air.
Hungarian tourist’s unique wheelchair stolen at the airport
A Hungarian tourist has lost a wheelchair worth more than HUF 1 million (currently more than EUR 2,700) during a family trip to Spain, according to a report by RTL News.
Emese Lakatos, 30, travelled to Málaga with her family after winning travel vouchers at the Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon, where she participated using a handbike, a specially adapted bicycle powered by the arms. The vouchers helped make the Spanish holiday possible.
However, the trip took an unexpected turn when the family discovered that Emese’s wheelchair had disappeared at the airport.
Five-year wait for a custom-made wheelchair
The stolen device was particularly valuable to Emese, not only because of its price but also because of the years she had spent waiting for it. According to RTL News, the Hungarian woman had waited more than five years to receive her new, specially tailored wheelchair, which was completed just two weeks before the family’s departure.
Emese was reportedly the only wheelchair user on the Budapest-Málaga flight, making the possibility of an accidental mix-up with another passenger’s equipment unlikely.
Her mother told RTL that a Spanish airport employee had witnessed someone sitting in the wheelchair and hurriedly leaving the airport accompanied by another person. The family said airport staff initially promised to contact them if the wheelchair was spotted again. However, the equipment has not been recovered.
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Wizz Air responds as police investigate
The incident was reported to Spanish police, and the family also sought assistance from the Hungarian consulate. Wizz Air, meanwhile, stated that security camera footage showed the device being transported to the aircraft door. The airline believes it was subsequently taken by another passenger.
The family is seeking compensation from the airline, but no payment has reportedly been received so far. During their stay in Spain, Emese was able to get around with a temporary wheelchair provided by Málaga Airport. Nevertheless, the replacement does not offer the same functionality or comfort as her custom-made equipment, which was designed specifically for her needs.
Spanish police are continuing their investigation into the disappearance. The case has also raised concerns about the handling and security of mobility equipment at airports, particularly when passengers rely on specialised wheelchairs for their independence.
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