The Bucharest Court of Appeal has fully overturned the disciplinary dismissal and ordered the employee’s reinstatement and payment of outstanding salary entitlements
In its final ruling of 20 October 2026, the Bucharest Court of Appeal fully annulled the disciplinary dismissal, ordered her reinstatement and required the airline to pay the salary entitlements owed from dismissal until her effective reinstatement.
In 2023, Florentina repeatedly reported fume events on Wizz Air aircraft. Such events can occur when cabin air is contaminated, including by oil fumes entering from the engines. Exposure can affect the health of crew and passengers and, in some cases, the crew’s ability to operate safely. In July that year, Florentina was grounded, and the airline later required psychological assessments. The dispute continued until July 2024, when Wizz Air dismissed her on disciplinary grounds.
FPU Romania supported Florentina throughout the dispute, raising the matter with Romanian authorities and European institutions, with support from the European Cockpit Association (ECA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF). Wizz Air later withdrew its requirement for an assessment by its chosen psychologist and formally accepted Florentina’s independent certificate. She resumed training and has returned to flying.
“It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I didn’t give up. I’m grateful to FPU Romania and the lawyers who supported me. I hope my experience gives other colleagues the courage to report without fear,” said Florentina.
FPU Romania raised concerns about fume events with the Romanian Labour Inspectorate as early as 2023. In March 2025, Wizz Air informed employees of a new procedure for reporting and investigating workplace incidents and accidents, including cases involving suspected occupational poisoning.
“Aviation is complex, and explaining these issues in court takes time, patience and a good understanding of the industry,” said lawyers Costel Gîlcă and Bianca Mircea, who represented Florentina.
“We would have preferred to resolve this dispute through dialogue. Lengthy court proceedings benefit no one, but when dialogue fails, we must be prepared to go all the way,” said Mircea Constantin, General Secretary of FPU Romania.
Press contact: office@fpu-romania.dk | +40 730 665652 | fpu-romania.dk
FLIGHT PERSONNEL UNION ROMANIA (FPUR) is affiliated with the European Cockpit Association (ECA), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
