Iceland’s Wow Air has stopped operating and cancelled all flights after a failure to secure emergency funding left thousands of passengers stranded.
Wow was founded in 2011 by its chief executive, Skuli Mogensen. It started flights in 2012 and grew to employ 1,000 people, carrying 3.5 million passengers last year in its 11 aircraft. It made headlines in 2015 when it promised £99 outbound fares from Europe to the US.
The airline’s website says, “End of Operation of WOW AIR. WOW AIR has ceased operation. All WOW AIR flights have been cancelled. Passengers are advised to check available flights with other airlines.”
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.