More than 1,000 passengers have had their travel plans disrupted by the sudden shuttering of Wow Air, which canceled flights across the U.S. and Europe.
The Icelandic airline announced the closure early Thursday, telling passengers they should try to find new flights on other airlines. The announcement surprised travelers, many of who are now stranded across Europe and the U.S.
Wow Air told customers that they are “advised to check available flights with other airlines.” It said some airlines may offer flights at discounted rates, so called “rescue fares,” but gave little guidance other than that and did not offer refunds.
“I’m very sorry about this as these are people who have supported us,” Wow Air CEO Skuli Mogensen said Thursday. “I’m disappointed not to honor our commitments.”
The airline was in negotiations until early Thursday morning in Iceland, but those ultimately fell through.
“As is normal, people believed we would get the investment,” Mogensen said. “We have been very transparent, but it didn’t happen.”
The airline is heavily in debt and is believed to owe almost $200 million.
[Opinion: Wow Air is canceled]
