The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has launched a follow-up investigation into Wizz Air to verify whether the airline has complied with obligations imposed in a previous consumer protection case concerning misleading commercial practices. The new procedure aims to determine whether the carrier has fully ceased the conduct identified as unlawful in the earlier decision.
In August 2024, the GVH imposed a fine of approximately HUF 307 million (around €780,000) on Wizz Air Hungary Légiközlekedési Zrt. after concluding that the airline had engaged in deceptive practices related to its service packages and automated check-in service. The authority found that the company had failed to clearly communicate to consumers that certain additional services could be purchased separately even when selecting the basic ticket option. According to the regulator, this lack of transparent information steered travellers towards purchasing more expensive service packages.
The investigation also identified problems with the airline’s automated check-in service. The GVH concluded that the commercial practices associated with the service did not meet the required standard of professional diligence, particularly regarding how the content and limitations of the automated check-in option were presented to consumers.
Alongside the financial penalty, the GVH’s Competition Council ordered Wizz Air to cease the unlawful practices and specifically prohibited the continuation of the infringement connected to the automatic passenger check-in service. The airline was also required to demonstrate to the authority that it had implemented the necessary corrective measures.
Although Wizz Air submitted documentation intended to prove compliance within the specified deadlines, the GVH determined that the materials provided did not allow it to establish with sufficient certainty that the obligations had been properly fulfilled. As a result, the authority has initiated a follow-up investigation to examine the implementation of the required measures more closely.
If the authority ultimately finds that the measures have not been fully implemented or that the required proof has not been properly provided, the Competition Council may impose additional sanctions. The case has been registered under VJ/10/2026.
