Wizz Air cancels Doncaster Sheffield flights in airport row

The airport said it had only received notice from the carrier via a report in local media. It told the Doncaster Free Press: “Regrettably, it appears that Wizz Air has taken the decision to cancel a large number of flights at Doncaster Sheffield airport from 10 June 2022.

“Unfortunately, DSA only became aware of this decision through a statement to the media this afternoon. We are attempting to obtain further clarification from the airline on their decision and its impact on passengers.

“We understand that passengers with bookings affected by this may be contacted by Wizz Air via email today with advice on all their options, which include rebooking, a full refund, or 120% of the original fare in airline credit.”

The airline told TTG the decision was due to the airport being “unable to guarantee the terms of its commercial agreement with Wizz Air”.

It is thought up to 13 routes have been cancelled and crews told to seek employment with the airline at other bases. TTG has asked for clarification on the exact number and on the number of jobs affected.

Wizz Air said: “Doncaster Sheffield airport-based pilots and cabin crew have today received notification of this news and have been offered the opportunity to fly out of another base in the UK.”

The carrier added cancelling Doncaster Sheffield routes “also stabilises our operations at other UK bases to help minimise disruption and delay as much as possible”.

Wizz Air services from the airport that originate in eastern Europe are unaffected.

Separately, the bank holiday weekend was affected by more delays and cancellations from several UK airports, with some passengers now facing being stranded on their inbound journey following their Jubilee break. Gatwick showed 19 cancellations between 07.30 and 17.30 today, the bulk of them from easyJet. However, the airport gave the official figure as 11.

Jet2 said it had not cancelled any flights "today or this week".

Wizz Air added: “Across the travel industry Wizz Air and every airline is doing as much as we all can to help as many passengers as possible reach their destinations in time and with minimal delay. 

“However, amongst other issues causing operational instability throughout the travel industry, there is a widespread shortage of staff, in particular within air traffic control, ground operations and baggage handling, security and across airports.”