Wizz Air has issued an apology after passengers on a flight from London Luton to Burgas, Bulgaria, were left stranded on the tarmac in scorching 37.7°C heat without air conditioning for an extended period. The incident, which occurred on July 9, 2026, sparked outrage among travellers, with video footage showing passengers fanning themselves with safety cards and demanding action.
Passengers Describe 'Hazard for Life' Conditions
A doctor among the passengers, identified as Roshan Fernando on social media, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the chaotic scene. In the footage, a woman can be heard saying: "I am a doctor. I work in emergency services and this is a hazard for life. The temperature is 37.7 degrees, with the doors shut and no air conditioning. People are scrambling, there are kids and [people] are dehydrated." The video depicts passengers standing in the aisle, urging crew to open the doors, while a flight attendant responds: "We are just waiting for the engine to start."
Wizz Air Denies Two-Hour Delay Claim
The carrier confirmed that flight W95393 departed approximately 90 minutes behind schedule due to a minor defect that rendered the air conditioning unavailable. A Wizz Air spokesperson stated: "Due to the current high temperatures in the UK, boarding was delayed until refuelling had been completed, and complimentary bottled water was provided to customers once they were on board." The airline denied claims that passengers were trapped for over two hours, maintaining that the captain kept customers informed with regular announcements. "Safety remains Wizz Air's highest priority and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers," the spokesperson added.
Heatwave Context and Climate Concerns
The incident occurs as Europe experiences its third heatwave of 2026, with record-breaking temperatures attributed to climate change. According to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), these extreme weather events are becoming more intense and frequent due to the burning of fossil fuels. Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at ECMWF, commented: "June 2026 underscored how profoundly the climate is changing. Together, these records reflect a climate system continuing to accumulate heat. The result is increasingly intense heatwaves, a persistently warm ocean, and growing risks for people, ecosystems and infrastructure across Europe and beyond."
Passenger Backlash and Social Media Outcry
The X-user Roshan Fernando described the experience as "disgraceful treatment of passengers by Wizzair on a flight from Luton to Bulgaria. 2+ hrs delay before boarding a plane and then trapping passengers with no air con in sweltering conditions. Also no communication from the pilot or crew to the passengers." The post garnered widespread attention, highlighting the growing frustration among air travellers amid extreme weather conditions. Wizz Air's apology comes as the airline faces scrutiny over its handling of the situation, with passengers demanding better communication and contingency plans for heat-related disruptions.
