Wizz Air Faces Austrian Supreme Court Ruling on Consumer Fees

Wizz Air (W6, Budapest) must revise its consumer policies in Austria following a landmark ruling by the country’s Supreme Court of Justice. The court found 111 of the airline’s consumer clauses illegal, including its €40 (USD 42) airport check-in fee and 12-month voucher expiration policy.

The ruling follows a legal challenge by Austria’s Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer), which argued that Wizz Air’s refund practices violated consumer rights. On February 17, 2025, the court ruled that forcing passengers to accept refunds in “WIZZ” credits without written consent was unlawful.

As a result, Wizz Air must refund all airport check-in fees paid since 2018 and reissue expired “WIZZ” vouchers with a five-year validity period from the date of replacement. These changes apply to Austrian residents and will remain in effect until at least December 31, 2027.

In response, Wizz Air acknowledged and accepted the court’s decision, stating it will comply with the required policy adjustments.

This ruling is a significant setback for Wizz Air’s consumer policies in Austria, reinforcing passenger rights against hidden fees and restrictive refund terms. The decision may also influence airline policies across Europe, as regulators and consumer groups closely monitor airline fee structures and refund practices.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com