Icelandic airline WOW Air ceased operations without warning on Thursday, leaving passengers across the world with no flights home.
The airline, known for its low tickets prices to European cities from North America, posted a statement to its website on Thursday, saying all flights had been canceled, effective immediately. Passengers with WOW tickets are being advised to check other airlines for alternative tickets immediately.
MORE: The artist who turned weed pipes into glass art
At least six planes in Canada and the U.S. that had been slated to leave Wednesday night were grounded. And seven scheduled flights from Europe did not take off Thursday morning, according to the Associated Press.
CNN reported that some passengers with Wednesday night flights were turned away at the flight gate, without any prior notification.
On Twitter, customers were frantic for more information about flights that had been repeatedly delayed due to "operational restrictions."
WOW Air was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Skuli Mogensen, who in an email to employees on Thursday said he would "never forgive myself for not acting sooner."
The airline had been in negotiations for the past six months with its Icelandic rival Icelandair and later with American budget airline company Indigo Partners to sell the company.
Follow Emily & PhillyVoice on Twitter @emily_rolen | @thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice
Add Emily’s RSS feed to your feed reader
Have a news tip? Let us know.