BREAKING: Wizz Air cancels 84 flights due to the Omicron surge

Several major airlines, including Delta, Lufthansa, United, and Hungarian low-cost airline WizzAir, have been forced to cancel thousands of flights due to staff shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least three major airlines have reported that a significant portion of their staff went on sick leave, leaving companies with insufficient capacity for the holidays. The COVID-driven staff shortage and the surge of the Omicron variant led to the cancellation of dozens of flights, writes Telex.

The number of bookings fell sharply from the middle of January to February, leading to

the elimination of 33,000 flights or about 10% of its plan this winter,

said Carsten Spohr, the chief executive of Lufthansa, the flag carrier and largest airline of Germany. “Above all we are missing passengers in our home markets of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium, because these countries have been hit hardest by the pandemic wave,” Spohr added.

In the United States, Delta Air Lines has also cancelled nearly 100 flights due to the problematic weather in certain parts of the country and the Omicron-related staff shortage.

Wizz Air

The Hungarian low-cost airline has been one of the most committed airlines in exploring new markets and expanding its capacity with new routes. In early October, Wizz Air announced the launch of new routes from Budapest to Egypt and Jordan, then, a few weeks later came the news about its major expansion in the Ukrainian market and the doubling of its capacity in Ukraine. However, the growing number of COVID-19 cases and the competition in all sectors have taken a toll on the airline, writes Aviacionline.

Hungarian Wizz Air to suspend 27 flights

Which routes are affected?

Twelve of the flights departing from Vienna have already been eliminated: Alghero (AHO), Charleroi (CRL), Cologne (GCN), Dortmund (DTM), Eindhoven (EIN), Faro (FAO), Madrid (MAD), Menorca (MEH), Oslo (OSL), Skavsta (NYO), Tallinn (TLL), and Warsaw (WAW).

One-third of the cancellations affect destinations in Italy, but several routes to Cyprus, Turkey or Norway have also been eliminated. Other airports affected include Warsaw, Poland, (seven); Gdansk, Poland (five); Eindhoven, Netherlands (five); Dortmund, Germany (four); Sofia, Bulgaria (four); and Zaporizhzhia, Greece (three).

Some of the cancelled flights have only been launched recently.

Read alsoPassengers were not allowed on a WizzAir flight in Budapest

Source: aviacionline.com, minnesota.cbslocal.com, techxplore.com, telex.hu

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1 Comment

Norbert : says:

25/12/2021 at 17:55

Through this, the biggest challenge to Mankind of the past century, the position and attitude of Airlines/Tourism – has been in attitude dismissive – of the times we ALL live.
The platform that this article is communicated on – AGAIN – highlights – likened to Governments and Hungary not escaping my “scorn” – the WRONGNESS – the want of Airlines/Tourism and Governments – that continue to focus – prioritize – the placing of Economics – there Economy over Humanity.
Omicron the latest of Strains that has evolved from this Noval Virus – what we are ALL witnessing Globally – the way it has been permitted/allowed to – AGAIN – causing choas and catacylsmic destruction to Humanity – severe critism – must revert back to Governments and in this case Airlines/ Tourism – for the serging forward approach and attitude, that is the placing Economics over Humanity.
The Global World – look at daily Medical Statistical Data – Europe & Britain – combined “top of the list” – in the rampant of new case numbers daily – being recorded – of this Omicron Strain.
Vaccination – Saves Lives.
Masks – a positive “tool” in assisting the broadsheet or the containment – in the spreading this Omicron Strain.
Limitation of CROWD Numbers – must be Increased – sadly AGAIN.
Movement of People – through means of Transportation – in and out of Hungary – by Rail & Airlines, Buses, Motor Vehicles, River Ships and “other” means Humans are finding to move around in un-restricted ways – that could spread further and deeper into Hungarian life – this Omicron strain.
Humans – we must get our heads around – and ensure we are living and practicing our Lives – Responsible.
Tourism like Governments – we continue to bear witness – the vulnerability of the World we Live – and the “surging” – in decision making – placing Economics over Humanity – WRONG.
We Hope & Pray that Omicron – is the last of this Noval Strain – BUT – what if ???