The Airline Bankruptcy That BROKE Iceland’s Entire Economy

This company went bankrupt and completely destroyed Iceland’s tourism industry and threaten to put the country into recession.

This gripping story unfolds on a fateful day in March 2019 when WOWAir, a trailblazing Icelandic airline, abruptly halted operations.
🛫 High-Flying Beginnings:
Explore the rise of WOWAir, a beacon of growth and innovation in Iceland's history. Discover how entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen's vision transformed Reykjavik into an international air hub, boosting the economy and bringing in millions of new tourists.
💸 The Price of Success:
Delve into WOWAir's meteoric ascent, fueled by rock-bottom fares and pioneering direct routes. Learn how the airline's game-changing pricing strategy attracted hordes of lower-middle-class tourists, reinvigorating Iceland's economy after the 2008 financial crisis.
🛢️ The Cracks Beneath:
Uncover the hidden challenges that brewed beneath WOWAir's success. Explore the detrimental impacts of rapid expansion, overambitious upgrades, and the relentless pressure of fluctuating fuel costs. The strain on profitability and cash flow would prove to be their downfall.
💥 The Unraveling:
Witness the company's desperate attempts to stave off bankruptcy, from seeking partnerships to slashing unprofitable routes. Despite these efforts, WOWAir's financial turmoil escalated, leading to an abrupt shutdown that left passengers stranded and Iceland's economy teetering.
📉 A Nation Shaken:
Grasp the aftermath as Iceland's tourism sector crumbled overnight. Absorb the shockwaves as international visitors plummeted by 16%, sending the Icelandic Krona's value tumbling by 3.7%. The once-thriving industry hung in the balance.
🔍 Lessons Learned:
Analyze the unparalleled case of WOWAir's collapse, underscoring how a single company's failure reverberated across an entire nation's economy. Unveil the intricate web of dependencies that tied Iceland's fate to the fortunes of this airline.
This riveting saga is a stark reminder of the fragile interplay between business and national economies. Join us as we dissect the tale of WOWAir's rise and fall, a poignant cautionary tale etched into Iceland's history."

Music:
Black Vortex Scoring Action - Kevin MacLeod
Steamboat - Mini Vandals