The Icelandic low-fare airline, Wow Air, announced on 28 March that it had ceased operations and cancelled all flights.
Passengers are being advised to check available flights with other airlines and some are offering ‘rescue fares’.
The airline had been facing an uncertain future after talks with Icelandair Group collapsed on 25 March. The carriers had resumed talks on 21 March after previous negotiations around an acquisition of WOW Air by Icelandair ended without an agreement.
In the intervening period, the private equity firm, Indigo Partners, stepped in and in November it had agreed in principle to invest in WOW, however, Indigo Partners withdrew its offer in March.
After talks with Icelandair fell through, WOW Air issued a statement that “Most WOW Air bond holders and other creditors of WOW Air are in advanced discussions with the aim of reaching an agreement on a voluntary restructuring including an agreement of converting current debt into equity and fund the company towards a long-term sustainability,” however the airline ceased operations on 28 March.
The airline had been facing pressures and had shed part of its fleet and cancelled several routes in order to cut costs.
The airport operator, Isavia, behind WOW Air’s main hub, Keflavik Airport, said: “Isavia regrets that WOW Air has ceased operations, as the company has transported a large number of passengers through Keflavik Airport for the past seven years and has been an important link in Keflavik Airport’s success and the development of tourism in Iceland.
“It is clear that the elimination of WOW Air will affect the operation of Keflavik Airport. Isavia will in the near future review what the effects may be.”
WOW Air flew to 25 destinations across Europe and North America with a fleet of Airbus A320, A321 and A330 aircraft.
