Wizz Air explained why they left passengers in France & UK without help
Wizz Air passengers wrote to Hungarian media outlets that they were left without proper help by the low-cost airline in Paris and London. People argued that Wizz Air did not acknowledge first that their flight was cancelled. Later they admitted that but offered no help for their passengers, who had to find accommodation, food, and drink in the French and British capital and rebook their flight. Some of them did not even speak the language. Here is Wizz Air’s explanation.
What happened?
As we reported yesterday, the Hungary-based low-cost airline, Wizz Air, left several passengers at the Paris-Orly airport without proper assistance. One of the victims wrote her story to Blikk. Orsolya stated that the most unpleasant thing was not the cancellation itself. It was the fact that she could neither rebook nor cancel the flight because she had already checked in, as Wizz Air only sent information messages about delays in the beginning.
Orsolya said that the company did not help them find accommodation for the night after it was clear their flight would not take off. Last weekend, a very similar case occurred. Wizz Air cancelled a flight commuting between London and Budapest but, allegedly, provided no proper help for the passengers.
The Hungarian low-cost airline sent a statement on the issue to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid. In short, the company said
their delays were caused by the labour shortage the air traffic control struggled.
They added that they would refund their passengers and launch an investigation into yesterday’s Paris-Orly case.
Wizz Air’s explanation – labour shortage
They highlighted that they did everything to provide punctual service for their passengers. However, labour shortage hits hard not only the air traffic control but also the airports, the ground, baggage handling and security services. As a result, there are delays, which, due to the strict air safety rules, result in flight cancellations.
In the case of the Paris-Orly cancellation, that is what happened. Because of the air traffic control labour shortage, their flights suffered delays, and their colleagues could not fly back to Budapest before the airport’s closure. The statement clears that they notified their passengers via SMS and email about the delay.
They added that they have a partner company taking care of the people in case of cancellations. Wizz Air promised they would launch an investigation in the Paris-Orly case. If they found problems, they would act accordingly.
They offered alternative flights, refunding the ticket cost or crediting 120% of it on the passenger’s Wizz account. They added that they would try to process all requests in one week. Furthermore, passengers have the right to demand compensation on the company’s website, wizzair.com.
Systematic problem
Blikk says that the problem is more extended than just cancelling individual flights. EasyJet, for example, cancelled hundreds in May because of an IT problem. Lufthansa announced that they would do so with more than 2,000 flights because of the labour shortage at the Frankfurt and München airports. Thus, the problem is systematic.
Read also Budapest transport prices, fines may increase significantly!
Source: Blikk, DNH
12 Comments
Global problem at Major and airports with high volumn tourist activity, the shortage of ground staff – luggage handlers and “other” needed customer comfort services.
Australia – from media reading – in exactly same postion, that this article is centered on – staff shortage.
The UK situation like the Major Rail strike at present, impacts on operations like Ryanair and all ‘Other” reduced fare airline carriers.
We have to gather ALL the Facts – before we commence the BLAME Game – discrediting operators for Failure to provide standards of service, that THEY sell promote are part of there “Contract of Engagement” – to us – there valued and needed clients – who choose to use there Services.
Ryanair – wrongly – “taken down” – sent to the Gallows, by lack of journalistic examination and thoroughness, before going to print, and being publicly named – in print.
Flew back direct from Lyon, France early June into Franz Liszt, Budapest.
NEVER in my decades of Flying Globally, have I had to wait at the carosal – for my luggage to be un-loaded near on (1) 1 hour.
Friday evening approx 6pm arrival Franz Liszt, Budapest with heavy passenger movement occuring, then letting (2) two buses proceed through numbers of passengers before I was able to get on a bus to Deak Ferenc and 5 minutes walk to our house.
Air travellers – can factually tell wonderful stories and share there experiences which are a mixture of Good & Bad situations they have encounted.
YOU would know my airline was not Ryanair.
Personally my experience choosing and flying Ryanair – 5 star rating.
We will again – sooner than later – engage them again.
Greedy pigs at Jizzair, hope you will get a massive lawsuit. It is time to do something against airlines that abuse their passenger and starts take responsibility for their actions.
the stories are just for fools. they do not want to pay decent wages. Do not abandon passengers in Basel, Dortmund, Paris or the UK. Wizzair wants 250 euros for a flight that charges 40 last year. Has the price of fuel increased 5 times or do you think we are all stupid ?! we drive and it’s cheaper, we spend time with family, we visit new places, we thank Wizzair for being insatiable and on this occasion you opened our eyes
Wizzair is a massive fraud. They cheat on their passengers where they can, withholding money, paying no refunds etc. This is systematic in this company; they should be taken down
I was one of the passenger from Paris and they didn’t help me with nothing! Moreover my second flight was also late! When I received the second email saying it will be late for 2 hours, I was scared and so booked another flight right away. I lose so much money because of them. I had to pay close to 1500 € and Jane no money anymore for the rest of my trip. My vacation is a nightmare because of them and they don’t answer to the chat anymore…
I have been saying for years that WizzAir are the worst budget airline in Europe with very poor (often rude) customer services by the ground staff and customer services offices. Their flight crew are ok. But like lemmings, people still go and do it, booking flights with them….
I have the same problem my flight with wizz air from Chania Crete was delayed with 3 hours and then I sopose to go to Gatwick Airport and they landed in Koln Germany without any explanation. Noane was there to offer any support
We had our flight from Luton to Cluj Napoca in the 23-06 cancelled by Wizzair through a text message and email after 9am with the flight scheduled at 14:50. You can imagine we were already on way to the airport, and because of strikes on the railways, we had to hire a taxi to the airport.
Arrive there, you find your flight is cancelled and nobody to help rebooking, except their so called representative who is and isn’t their representative, depending on the customer I guess. Their message was “rebook on line” seriously? Their app does not allow rebooking, you would need a laptop. And then we had to make our way back home and back to the airport next day at our expense (it wasn’t cheap, railway strikes means higher taxi fares, much higher).
It’s a joke of a company.
If you don’t need a direct flight that’s not covered by anyone else, I suggest avoid it, in the end the costs are not going to be “low cost” that’s a myth, customers’s awakening to reality is rough and rude, like the airline. This is doing so much damage to the country’s image, if I was the Hungarian government I would ban them from calling themselves Hungarian.
Wizz Air are a total shambles. If they do fly, passengers are treated like cattle. Avoid if at all possible.
They are the worst airlines, they canceled our flight almost 2 weeks ago without justification and made us miss another transit flight and so far they haven’t reimbursed us or refund the amounts they owe us, their staff are unhelpful (we are a family of 6 person)
They are the worst airlines, they canceled our flight almost 2 weeks ago without justification and made us miss another transit flight and so far they haven’t reimbursed us or refund the amounts they owe us, their staff are unhelpful (we are a family of 6 persons)