The government of Hungary has ordered an investigation into a second low-cost carrier, Wizz Air (W6, Budapest), over possible breaches of consumer protection laws, having already sparked a probe against Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) this summer, Associated Press reported on August 22 citing the Magyar Távirati Iroda (MTI) news agency.
An apparent rise in complaints against the Budapest-based airline prompted the Ministry of Justice to begin the investigation, which the ministry claimed was over its failure to provide information and assistance to customers whose flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Other complaints, it said, relate to the carrier’s alleged failure to provide accommodation and rebookings for affected passengers, not responding to consumer complaints within 30 days, and operating a customer service line that is paid, which violates Hungarian law, the ministry said in a statement issued to the news agency.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s nationalist government launched its investigation against Ryanair after imposing a windfall tax on industries ranging from banking to aviation that it claims have enjoyed “extra profits” from surging demand after the pandemic, a claim the Irish carrier has ridiculed. Earlier this month, Budapest fined it HUF300 million forints (USD731,000) for passing the cost onto consumers, and the carrier then axed a number of routes from the country.
Wizz Air had been less vocal than Ryanair in its opposition to the tax. It did not immediately respond to ch-aviation’s request for comment.
In related news, Jourik Hooghe will step down from his post as Wizz Air Holdings’ executive vice president and group chief financial officer to pursue opportunities outside the company. A replacement, Ian Malin, who is currently chief strategy and commercial officer at US-based parts supplier Unical Aviation, will take up the position on October 1. Hooghe joined the airline in February 2020 and will be available during a transition period until December 31.
