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In a surprising twist that highlights the challenges facing both airlines and passengers this summer, Yvonne Moynihan, the newly appointed Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, has admitted to being slapped with a €70 (£60) fine by her own staff for breaching the airline's stringent hand luggage rules. This personal anecdote comes to light as the UK's aviation sector braces for a potentially turbulent summer, with Gatwick Airport, a key hub for Wizz Air, once again being crowned the worst in the UK for flight delays, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.
Moynihan, who recently took the reins from Marion Geoffroy at the beginning of July 2025, revealed her oversight during a recent interview, stating, "I got overcharged by Wizz Air a few weeks ago for my bag not fitting in the thing. €70 (£60)." Her experience underscores the very policies that have frustrated countless travellers, demonstrating that Wizz Air's strict approach to baggage fees applies to everyone, regardless of their position.
This incident gains particular relevance given a significant, albeit not yet law, EU ruling this month. The European Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to standardize hand luggage rules, aiming to prohibit airlines from charging extra for standard cabin bags. This proposed regulation would entitle passengers to bring one personal item (up to 40x30x15cm) and a piece of hand luggage (up to 7kg, with total dimensions not exceeding 100cm) free of charge. If approved, this move could fundamentally alter the business model of budget carriers like Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet, which currently rely heavily on such fees. While the UK is no longer part of the EU, many flights from the UK to European destinations are operated by EU airlines, making a uniform policy likely across the board to avoid confusion.
Meanwhile, the travel woes extend beyond baggage. Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest, has once more been identified as the nation's least reliable airport for on-time departures in 2025. A recent report by passenger rights experts AirHelp, which assessed 250 terminals globally, ranked Gatwick a dismal 235th. This follows a trend, as Gatwick was also ranked "worst for delays" for a second consecutive year by analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data, with flights departing on average more than 23 minutes late in 2024. Despite some improvement from 2023, the airport's high volume of flights and ongoing operational challenges, including air traffic control staff shortages, continue to impact passenger journeys.
While Gatwick struggles, other UK airports have shown varied performance. Heathrow, the nation's busiest, also fared poorly, landing in 178th place. In stark contrast, Liverpool John Lennon Airport emerged as the UK's best-performing airport, ranking an impressive 35th globally, with London City also performing well at 56th. Birmingham, a growing hub for Wizz Air, placed 214th, while Manchester was 220th.
Adding to the cost of travel, airport parking remains a significant outlay. While an average long-stay option for four days across UK airports costs approximately £59, London City Airport continues to hold the unenviable title of the most expensive for parking, with some short-stay options costing an eye-watering £189 for less than a week. Bournemouth Airport also ranked as one of the priciest for weekly parking, averaging over £120.
Despite the challenges, Wizz Air is pressing ahead with its expansion plans. Under Moynihan's leadership, the airline is committed to its "Customer First Compass" initiative, focusing on improving punctuality, affordability, and overall service. The carrier continues to introduce new routes, with flights from Gatwick to Warsaw and Medina set to launch in August. Birmingham Airport has also seen new connections, with a direct route to Rome already active and a new service to Suceava, Romania, commencing in December 2025. Furthermore, Wizz Air has announced significant expansion in Romania, allocating a third aircraft to its Timisoara base for the winter 2025 season and launching five new routes, including Larnaca, Nuremberg, Basel, Frankfurt Hahn, and Naples.
Moynihan, who previously served as Wizz Air's Corporate and ESG Officer, is a proponent of "Every Minute Matters" and aims for transparent pricing with "no hidden fees," a statement that now carries an ironic weight given her own recent experience. As the summer travel season intensifies, the combination of personal airline fines, ongoing airport delays, and looming EU legislative changes will undoubtedly keep both airline executives and passengers on t
heir toes.
