Chaos on Tenerife

Viennese stranded: “You are left alone”

Numerous passengers were stranded and the airline staff were of little help.(Bild: Ed Ricker)

IT problems at the cybersecurity company Crowdstrike paralyzed numerous Windows systems worldwide on Friday. Airports all over the world were affected. Those stranded were often left to fend for themselves, with no information and overwhelmed airline staff. 

The low-cost airline Wizz Air actually wanted to attract holidaymakers with its direct flight from Vienna to Tenerife, but after the serious IT breakdown, the company was plunged into chaos, staff were hopelessly overwhelmed and no information was passed on. 

"You are left alone"
The 22-year-old songwriter "Gooze" from Vienna was stuck at the airport on the Canary Island with his family on Friday: "It's our first time here, it's a disgrace. You are left alone, without any information," he told the "Krone" newspaper. The four of them have now rebooked for another flight the next day at around 6 pm and have also organized a hotel themselves. 

The Viennese songwriter Arian Bitschnau (22) alias "Gooze" and his sister Sara were stuck at the airport in Tenerife with their parents.(Bild: Ed Ricker)

Unfriendly staff, no information
Other passengers also reported unfriendly airline staff and missing or incorrect information: "After initially being told to come to the airport, we have now just received an email saying NOT to come to the airport."

(Bild: Ed Ricker)

Wizz Air is also currently unable to rebook flights. 

Passengers currently have no choice but to wait at the airport. And to hope that they will still be able to travel home at some point.