Names read out, Wizz Air passengers left behind in Greece

Wizz Air says it is investigating a Greece disruption in which passengers were barred from boarding a Kefalonia-to-Budapest flight after a crew member’s permitted duty hours expired. The incident occurred on Saturday, and some of those stranded on the Greek island reportedly did not get home until Tuesday, June 30. Telex reported the aircraft could not depart on time due to unplanned maintenance, delaying the originally scheduled 9:55 AM local departure by about 20 minutes before a broader chain reaction. With a reduced crew of six, the airline said it could carry a maximum of 200 passengers, short of 223 booked seats. Ground staff reportedly read out names at around 2:40 PM local time, with no clear explanation of how selections were made. Wizz Air said it covered accommodation, meals, and transfers, and noted passengers are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. The airline also said it did not ask for volunteers, and that procedures require ground handlers to seek volunteers first.