Wizz Air has paid more than EUR 184 million in passenger compensation over two years following lengthy delays and flight cancellations. However, an analysis of the Hungarian-founded airline’s financial figures suggests that many affected travellers may not have claimed the full amount available to them under EU rules.
The figures, covering the period from April 2024 to March 2026, were disclosed in documents presented to analysts and investors.
According to an investigation by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera , the airline’s compensation costs stemmed from flights that arrived more than three hours late or were cancelled for reasons attributable to the carrier. The newspaper estimated that more than one million passengers were affected over the two financial years.
The findings raise questions about how many travellers are aware of their rights and whether they pursue compensation following disrupted journeys.
How much has Wizz Air paid in compensation?
The airline’s financial data show that Wizz Air paid a total of EUR 184.1 million in passenger compensation between April 2024 and March 2026.
The airline’s financial data show that the number of significant flight disruptions fell during the second year, even as Wizz Air operated more flights.
The figures break down as follows:
- April 2024–March 2025: Around 2,800 flights arrived more than three hours late, while 231 were cancelled for reasons attributed to the airline. Wizz Air paid EUR 105.1 million in compensation.
- April 2025–March 2026: The number of major delays fell to 1,831, with 133 cancellations. Compensation payments decreased to EUR 79 million.
The newspaper calculated that Wizz Air’s compensation payments amounted to approximately EUR 167 per estimated affected passenger in the first year and EUR 187 in the second. Both figures are below the EUR 250 minimum available to passengers who qualify under EU compensation rules.
The gap between the estimated average payouts and the minimum compensation available under EU rules suggests that a substantial number of passengers may have missed out on money they were entitled to.
However, the exact number remains unknown. The passenger figures are estimates based on average aircraft occupancy, and not everyone affected by a delay or cancellation necessarily qualifies for financial compensation.
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How much compensation can Wizz Air passengers claim?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation if their flight arrives at its final destination at least three hours late, or if it is cancelled at short notice.
The amount generally depends on the flight distance:
| Flight distance | Potential compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | EUR 250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km, and longer intra-EU flights | EUR 400 |
| Other flights over 3,500 km | EUR 600 |
These amounts apply to qualifying disruptions, and compensation may be reduced in certain rerouting circumstances.
Airlines are generally exempt from paying financial compensation when they can demonstrate that the disruption resulted from extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as severe weather, and could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.
How can passengers claim their money?
Travellers who believe they are entitled to compensation should first contact the airline directly and submit a claim through its official complaints procedure.
Passengers should keep their booking confirmation, flight details and any correspondence about the delay or cancellation. If the airline does not respond within two months, or the passenger is dissatisfied with its response, they can contact the relevant national enforcement authority.
The European Commission’s passenger rights website provides information about compensation eligibility and the available complaint procedures.
Although Wizz Air’s compensation costs declined in its latest financial year, the reported figures highlight the financial impact of flight disruptions and the importance of passengers understanding their rights.
For travellers affected by significant delays or cancellations, checking whether they qualify for compensation could mean recovering hundreds of euros.
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