Strike costs deal blow to Wizz Air

Wizz Air has blamed air traffic control strikes for a surge in cancellations and passenger compensation costs that knocked firstquarter profits by 14 per cent.

The budget airline logged a near 18 per cent rise in revenue to €553.4 million (£491m) in the three months to 30 June, thanks in part to a 19.7 per cent rise in passengers to 8.6 million. But pre-tax profits fell to €52.1m.