Wow Air Shuts Down, Thousands of Passengers Stranded

A Wow Air aircraft in San Francisco

Wow Air ceased operations overnight and cancelled all flights, stranding thousands of passengers. The move came after the airline failed to reach an agreement with investors that would have given it additional capital.

“Wow Air has ceased operation,” the airline said on its website. “All Wow Air flights have been cancelled.”

The airline cancelled 250 flights, a move affecting over 2,700 passengers.

“We have run out of time and have unfortunately not been able to secure funding for the company,” said Wow Chairman Skúli Mogensen in a message to employees. “I will never be able to forgive myself for not taking action sooner.”

The airline told passengers they needed to “check alternative flights” with other airlines and ask for so-called “rescue fares, in light of the circumstances.”

Wow, which was founded in 2012, carried 3.5 million passengers last year. The end came after six months of negotiations including two attempts to sell itself to its main rival, Icelandair, and to Indigo Partners, a U.S. private equity firm that has stakes in several smaller airlines.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)