Boss of 'worst airline' pockets jumbo wage rise as flyers wait for payouts

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József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air
József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air

Budget airline Wizz Air is plagued by delays but its boss’s pay has no problem taking off.

The Hungarian carrier last week ranked last in a passenger poll, with almost half griping about hellish waits and luggage problems. But chief executive József Váradi is enjoying a jumbo pay rise of over £60,000 year on year.

The high flyer, 58, trousered a basic salary of £524,516 in 2022, soaring to £586,891 last year. And he’s on track to unlock a bonus of £100million by 2028 if he hits performance targets.

Boss of 'worst airline' pockets jumbo wage rise as flyers wait for payouts eiqrriukiqzrinvWizz Air was ranked last in a recent poll (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The news will spell misery for the 64,000 fed-up Wizz travellers who have banded together on Facebook to demand their compensation claims for delayed flights are settled. Most report waiting five months or more for Wizz to deal with their cases.

One wrote: “They admitted we are entitled but no payment. They keep sending us the same emails, requesting the same data for the fifth time.” Another said: “My suitcase is now trash after a flight with Wizz Air.”

Abandoned UK airport plans relaunch with budget flights to Spain and CyprusAbandoned UK airport plans relaunch with budget flights to Spain and Cyprus

Another warned: “People – read the reviews about this company and you will understand everything. We have been deceived and ignored and no compensation was paid, they do not solve problems.”

Wizz operates from Luton and Gatwick and carried nearly five million passengers last year. Some 6,000 were awarded a total of £1.2m from the carrier last month after years of complaints. Wizz Air was asked for comment.

Saskia Rowlands

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