The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has fined Wizz Air HUF 307 million (approximately $848,000) for ""violating the prohibition of unfair commercial practices"".
The competition body said: ""Wizz Air made commercial communications about the essential features of its automatic check-in service in breach of the professional diligence requirement, and the airline failed to disclose that consumers could buy 'extra services' separately as part of some of its service packages, thereby steering consumers towards more expensive packages.""
A competition supervision procedure was launched against the airline in early 2023 for ""allegedly implying significant information on its online platforms to influence ticket buyers towards more expensive options"".
The authority found that between November 2018 and May 2024, the airline did not properly communicate that consumers could also purchase certain additional services separately when opting for the basic ticket.
Wizz Air had offered several commitments to the GVH during the procedure such as compensation to its customers and IT upgrades for the booking process but were not accepted by the authority. It said the decision was driven by the fact that it has other ongoing proceedings against the airline as well as doubts surrounding the effectiveness of the commitments.
Airline Economics has contacted Wizz Air for a request for comment.
Wizz Air fined by Hungarian Competition Authority
