At around 8.18am this morning, WOW Air announced that they have ceased operation with immediate effect and have cancelled all scheduled flights. The company has apologised to their customers for any disruption caused and urge travellers to apply for compensation as well as reorganising their travel plans with other airlines but, how?

Book Alternate Flights

Customers are being advised to look for alternate flights from other companies, some of which are offering reduced rates to those stranded at airports. WOW Air have claimed that they will publish further information regarding the airlines that are offering ‘rescue fares’, though they are yet to follow through with this.

WOW Air direct customers

Those who booked directly through WOW Air are being asked to contact their credit/debit card issuer about their refund processes. It should be noted that most of these customers will be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Package Holidays

Passengers that purchased their flights as part of a package deal from a European travel agent are protected by the Package Travel Directive. These individuals should contact the companies they booked with to arrange an alternate flight.

Travel Insurance

Of course, all those travellers that have purchased travel protection & insurance will be entitled to claim against it, and should receive assistance with organising different travel plans (depending on the insurance provider). Similarly, customers should contact WOW Air to discuss compensation but no clear procedure has been released by the company at the moment. In case of a bankruptcy, claims should be filed to the administrator / liquidator.

Green Motion Bookings

If you have hired a car with Green Motion and have experienced disruption to your travel plans as a result of the WOW Air failure, and will now be unable to collect your hire vehicle, or if your flight times have changed and you need to amend your booking, please email [email protected] with the subject line ‘WOW Air’ and one of our agents will advise you of the cancellation / amendment procedure.

What Next?

Wow Air have asked that customers check the following sites for updated information on reduced fare flights and the refund process.

- Icelandic Transport Authority: www.samgongustofa.is / www.icetra.is
- Keflavik Airport: www.isavia.is/en
- WOW AIR: www.wowair.com

General information about passenger rights can be found at - www.icetra.is