Sónar Reykjavik 2019

Sonar Reykjavik 2019 cancelled after WOW Air shuts down

Sónar Reykjavik 2019

The 2019 edition of Icelandic music festival Sónar Reykjavik has been cancelled following the abrupt shutdown of budget airline Wow Air on March 28. Because of the shutdown, “the travel plans of up to half of all the Sónar Reykjavík ticket-holders and numerous artists scheduled to perform have been severely affected or cancelled,” a statement from the festival reads:

Given the recent challenges facing the tourism and travel industry in Iceland, Upplifun ehf, the promoter of Sónar Reykjavik regrets to announce the cancellation of Sónar Reykjavík 2019.

Last Thursday, Icelandic airline WOW Air abruptly ceased operations. As a result, the travel plans of up to half of all the Sónar Reykjavík ticket-holders and numerous artists scheduled to perform have been severely affected or cancelled.

This has been compounded by an extremely delicate local situation in Iceland, meaning that Sónar Reykjavik cannot guarantee the same calibre of experience we have provided over the last six years, both for artists and fans.

In light of this, and given the short amount of time remaining until the festival, we are faced with no other choice but to announce its cancellation for this year.

With sincere apologies to all those affected
Team Upplifun

The festival says all ticket holders will be refunded; more information on obtaining refunds is HERE.

As for those who booked flights through WOW Air, the carrier advises them to “check available flights with other airlines. Some airlines may offer flights at a reduced rate, so-called rescue fares, in light of the circumstances. Information on those airlines will be published, when it becomes available.” People who paid for flights with a credit card should contact their credit card company to see if they are eligible for a chargeback, and people who purchased travel insurance or protection may also be able to get compensation. As for reimbursement from the airline itself, WOW Air’s travel alert says, “passengers may also be entitled to compensation from WOW AIR, including in accordance with European regulation on Air Passenger Rights. In case of a bankruptcy, claims should be filed to the administrator / liquidator.”

Orbital, Yves Tumor, Richie Hawtin, Little Simz, Jon Hopkins, Little Dragon, Kero Kero Bonito, and DAWN were among the artists scheduled to perform at the festival, which was to have happened at Harpa Concert House on April 25-27, 2019.