A terrible surprise for WOW air passengers. The company, which offered low-cost transatlantic flights via Iceland, announced early Thursday, March 28, on its website that it was ceasing operations and cancelling all its flights. “Passengers are advised to check available flights with other airlines,” advises the site.
After the end of Primera Air and Norwegian Airlines’ decision to cancel some of its routes between Europe and the United States following financial difficulties, this is just another player in the sector confronting challenges. Launched in 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, the company offered low-cost flights between Paris, Lyon and several American destinations (New York, Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Pittsburgh) via Iceland.
The company’s financial situation deteriorated at the end of 2018 due to the increase in fuel prices and the concern for the industry generated by the bankruptcy of Primera Air, one of its direct competitors. Its fate was sealed in March when discussions about a takeover, first with the Indigo Partners investment fund and then with the IcelandAir group, ended for good.
Norwegian, IcelandAir, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and EasyJet are offering “emergency flights” to assist passengers affected by the cancellations. XL Airways has also announced the implementation of flight solution for affected passengers for $130 between Paris and New York for flights between April 6 and April 30.
