A woman hosting a Ukrainian refugee family fleeing the war has said they were asked to pay for luggage by an airline providing free ‘escape’ flights.
Agnese Edmonds said the family was asked to pay £108.49 for two suitcases when they booked their tickets from Krakow, Poland to London Luton ewith Wizz Air.
The flight itself was free, but the family was asked to pay for their bags.
Ms Edmonds, from Essex, is ‘gobsmacked’. She said: “I’m not sure for those people who didn’t have any money, you know, how would they get through? Who would pay for them?’
‘I couldn’t believe, the family couldn’t believe it – well if you’re offering the flight, they’re already on the flight, well surely they can take their luggage with them?’
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: ‘Wizz Air is committed to helping Ukrainian refugees reach their final destinations, wherever that may be in the WIZZ network.
‘To that end, Wizz Air continues to add larger planes and extra flights from Ukrainian border countries, as well as rescue fares from non-border countries, to help support the movement of refugees as necessary.
‘However, our policy states that trolley bags and checked-in luggage are subject to additional fares.’
Earlier in March the airline announced that it will provide 100,000 free seats from neighbouring countries to support Ukrainian refugees.
A statement on its website said: ‘Wizz Air…will support Ukrainian refugees by offering them 100,000 free seats* on all continental Europe flights departing from Ukraine’s border countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania).
‘Wizz Air is committed to helping the refugees reach their final destinations, wherever that may be.’
On its website, Wizz Air however does say Ukrainian refugee flights may still be subject to additional bag fees.
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