The airline may have misled customers.
Budapest, 31 January 2024 - The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) launched a competition supervision proceeding against Wizz Air Hungary Kft. The airline is likely to have concealed information about its free online check-in service, thereby causing avoidable costs to passengers.
The Hungarian Competition Authority found that Wizz Air Hungary Zrt. had concealed significant information on its website between December 2022 and May 2023. Passengers with a return ticket travelling backwards could not check in for free using their mobile phone browser due to the specialties of the mobile phone view of the website. The customers concerned had to pay an avoidable airport check-in fee (40 EUR).
In October 2022, the GVH carried out a comprehensive sweep to investigate whether the websites of airlines available in Hungary, including low-cost operators, and popular ticket price comparison websites use so-called dark patterns in their ticketing and advertising practices. The GVH has already indicated that it will also investigate the application of fair competition rules in the market by carrying out competition supervision proceedings in justified cases.
By the launching of this case, GVH is repeatedly calling attention to airlines to ensure that all information on ticket sales is published transparently, easily understandable and comprehensible to customers.
The opening of competition proceedings does not mean that the undertaking has committed the infringement. The procedure aims at clarifying the facts and thereby proving the alleged infringement. The time allowed for the procedure is three months, which may be extended twice, each time for a maximum of two months, where justified.
The administrative case number is: VJ/4/2024
GVH Public Service Communications Section
Further information:
Bálint Horváth, Head of Communication +36 20 238 6939
Katalin Gondolovics, Spokesperson +36 30 603 1170