Hungarian Competition Authority opens new investigation against Wizz Air

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) started an investigation against the Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air. That comes after the budget airline made passengers pay for their seats even 18 hours prior to take off.

According to 444.hu, one of their readers, János, wrote that Wizz Air makes its passengers pay for their seats even though they already bought the ticket. Otherwise, they are not able to do the check-in process. In the second phase of the online check-in procedure, the airline’s system does not show the third, free seat option. As a result, many may accept to pay some extra money for a service they do not want.

Wizz Air’s customer service support did not help János, and their press centre said that nothing irregular happened. They ran some tests and said the system worked perfectly. However, the Hungarian Competition Authority began an investigation into the issue. The process is ongoing, but the low-cost airline denies that they intentionally make their customers pay for their seats.

If we buy a ticket for a Wizz Air flight, we can pay extra money for a seat. That is how we can choose where to sit during the flight. Of course, this is extra service which is not obligatory to pay for. Those who would not like to can do the online check-in 24 hours before the take-off. Those paying extra for their seats can do so one month before their flight takes off.

Unfair commercial practice by Wizz Air?

However, János and other passengers said they experienced there was no free option in the online check-in system even though the flight was due in only 18 hours. János can prove that with screenshots. Once, he would have had to pay GBP 26 for a seat if he had wanted to travel. Wizz Air told János their system worked perfectly, but GVH‘s opinion differs.

They started an investigation due to unfair commercial practice, hvg.hu wrote. GVH wrote to the passenger that they have an ongoing investigation into the issue. They added they warned all airlines to abolish ticket selling and advertisement practices able to distort consumer decisions unnoticed. In October, they said that provided there were no changes on the market in that regard, they would start investigations.

Wizz Air did not acknowledge their possible mistake but promised to help the work of the GVH in all ways. Furthermore, they said they do everything to comply with all the relevant rules.

Interested in news about Wizz Air? HERE is an article about the new flights they announced for this autumn-winter period. In THIS article, you may read about the Wizz Air-Ryanair battle for Europe.

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