Surprising: Wizz Air abolishes “last passenger-friendly discount”, flies longer to the Middle East
This summer was full of cancelled and delayed flights in Europa affecting the Hungarian low-cost airline, Wizz Air, as well. In such cases, the budget airline refunded 100% of the ticket price in cash or 120% in Wizz credits. The latter option is no longer available. Despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Wizz Air insists on flying there, but on modified and longer routes.
Wizz Air abolishes passenger-friendly option silently
According to okosutas.hu, Wizz Air revoked one of its last “passenger-friendly” discounts by not giving 120% refund in Wizz credits anymore. That option was available since the introduction of the Wizz credit system and was available for all passengers whose flights were significantly delayed or cancelled.
Now, the system gives you two refund options: 100% in cash or Wizz credits. However, the Hungarian low-cost airline forgot to announce that decision publicly, okosutas.hu wrote. The only benefit of the Wizz credit system now is that Wizz Air transmits the credits sooner than the cash.
Flights to Israel remain, in theory
Officially, Wizz Air continues to serve its passengers in Israel despite the escalating Middle Eastern armed conflict. Most budget airlines suspended their flights, but Wizz Air’s theoretically remain.
That comes after the European Commission said airlines should avoid Lebanese and Israeli airspace until 31 October. The EC and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) warned in a joint statement of “an overall intensification of air strikes and degradation in the security situation”, The Times of Israel wrote.
Wizz Air did not announce a halt in their Israeli flights. But, in practice, none of their flights landed in Tel Aviv between 26 September and 5 October. Furthermore, some cancellations happened late at night, affecting many passengers’ travel plans. Therefore, Okosutas recommends buying tickets to Israeli fights because they will serve the country until a total airspace closure. Meanwhile, Wizz Air’s arrival in Tel Aviv is doubtful.
Extra stop to Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Flight routes between Budapest-Abu Dhabi and Budapest-Dubai also changed due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Wizz Air said safety was their top priority, so they tried to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon.
Therefore, their flights fly above Saudi Arabia and Egypt, so they must land in Lárnaca, Cyprus. As a result, the flight time is two hours longer, but they did not have to cancel any flights.
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