Wow Air goes bust

Icelandic lowcost airline Wow Air has announced today that it has ceased operating, leaving passengers stranded abroad. No further reasons have been announced. Passengers are advised to check available flights on other airlines.

Our advice is to check all airlines who fly to your next destination as they may well offer a discounted rate to anyone holding a valid Wow Air ticket, known as 'rescue fares' but do so as soon as possible in case the discount period expires. Norwegian is belived to be offering discounted travel for stranded Wow Air passengers.

What about compensation?

According to Wow Air, passengers whose ticket was paid with a credit card are advised to contact their credit card company to check whether a refund of the ticket cost will be issued.

Passengers who bought their ticket from a European travel agent (within the European Economic Area) as a part of a package tour (a package which includes flights and accommodation or other services) are protected by the Package Travel Directive. Those passengers are advised to contact their travel agent to arrange an alternative flight.

Passengers who may have bought travel protection, or those passengers whose credit card terms may include such protection, may be entitled to claim compensation and assistance due to delays or travel disruption. However, such compensation is often limited.

Passengers may also be entitled to compensation from WOW AIR, including in accordance with European regulation on Air Passenger Rights. In case of a bankruptcy, claims should be filed to the administrator / liquidator.