Bucharest Court Rejects Dan Air's Request to Unblock Funds Blocked by Netopia

Update

Dan Air: Netopia Withholds Over €1.3 Million and Terminates Contract; Passengers Must Claim Refunds from the Processor

Airline operator Dan Air informed passengers that all reservations paid by card via payment processor Netopia, for which funds have not been settled, have been cancelled. ^[2]

According to a company statement, Netopia has withheld all passenger funds since October 23, 2026. The blocked funds exceed €930,000, plus approximately €440,000 in guarantees, totaling over €1.3 million. On November 2, 2026, Netopia unilaterally terminated the payment processing contract without notice, which, according to Dan Air, gave it complete control over the refund process. ^[2]

The airline specifies that it does not have access to the funds withheld and unsettled by Netopia. Through the unilateral and immediate termination of the contract, Dan Air considers Netopia to be the sole entity responsible for refunding these amounts. ^[2]

Dan Air officially urges passengers to contact the payment processor directly to recover their paid funds. ^[2]

Update

Dan Air: Netopia Withholds Over €1.3 Million and Terminates Contract; Passengers Must Claim Refunds from the Processor

According to a press release from airline operator Dan Air, over 11,000 passengers are affected by the cancellation of reservations for which funds were not settled by payment processor Netopia Financial Services. Dan Air reports that Netopia withheld all revenue collected from passengers starting October 23. The blocked funds exceed €930,000, adding approximately €440,000 in guarantees, reaching a total of over €1.3 million. Matt Ian David, administrator of Dan Air, stated that 'passenger funds never reached DAN AIR: they remain at NETOPIA, which chose to withhold them and terminate the contract overnight.' The administrator regrets that Netopia acted 'in such a manner and out of fear of insolvency,' blocking money and cancelling passengers' travels. On November 2, Netopia unilaterally terminated the contract with Dan Air, and the airline claims it no longer has access to passenger collections nor control over the refund process. Dan Air representatives state that individuals whose reservations were cancelled must request refunds directly from Netopia. Alternatively, travelers can attempt a chargeback (payment dispute) through the card-issuing bank where the ticket was purchased. The airline continued to operate flights for 14 days after the collection blockade, using own resources for this purpose. ^[3]

Update

Dan Air Cancels Reservations: Netopia Withholds Funds; Passengers Should Request Money from the Processor

Dan Air cancels all reservations paid by card with Netopia, for which funds have not been settled. ^[4]

Netopia intervened to protect passengers who paid by card, ensuring that tickets are paid in advance and that, in case of cancellation, the passenger can recover their money through a chargeback, regardless of whether Dan Air has resources. 'Funds associated with these tickets never reached Dan Air because starting October 23, 2026, Netopia withheld all passenger funds. Blocked funds currently exceed €930,000 and approximately €440,000 in guarantees, totaling over €1.3 million, and on November 2, 2026, Netopia unilaterally and without notice terminated the payment processing contract, meaning DAN AIR no longer has any control over the refund process,' the airline stated. Passengers can request refunds directly from Netopia or alternatively through the card-issuing bank (chargeback). ^[4]

Dan Air announced the temporary relocation of all operations from George Enescu Airport in Bacău to Henri Coandă Otopeni Airport. The move is motivated by 'loss of confidence in the executive management of Bacău Airport, led by General Director Radu Bezniuc'. On October 29, 2026, Bacău Airport filed a request to open insolvency proceedings against Dan Air. Dan Air contests the airport's insolvency petition, stating that over 83% of arrears had an age of at most 33 days and that the law presumes insolvency only for debts unpaid for 60 days. The company mentioned that it had already paid €100,000, was negotiating an installment plan similar to that of 2025, and had had a reorganization request under court protection since October 22. ^[4]

Netopia reacted to Dan Air's accusations, which called for the resignation of the processor and the director of Bacău Airport, accusing it of 'an attempt to block the company's operations and affect thousands of passengers'. Netopia asserts that its priority is protecting passengers who paid for tickets by card. 'Passenger Protection. Airline tickets are paid in full in advance, often months before the flight. If a flight is cancelled, a passenger who paid by card has the right to recover their money through a special procedure called chargeback, whereby NETOPIA returns this money to passengers – regardless of whether DAN AIR still has the resources needed to compensate passengers. The relationship between NETOPIA and Dan Air operates based on a 2023 contract, which acknowledges the high risk of chargeback and provides guarantee mechanisms. The contract stipulates the withholding of collected sums when there is an imminent risk that obligations towards passengers can no longer be fulfilled, measures stemming from contractual provisions negotiated by both parties. Funds held as guarantees are kept in special protective bank accounts, in accordance with payment institution regulations, and are not used by NETOPIA in its own activities. The destination of guarantee funds is to cover potential refunds to passengers in case of flight cancellations. Aspects under dispute are being analyzed by competent courts; so far, no ruling has ordered the release of funds held as guarantees, and NETOPIA will respect any court decision. NETOPIA considers it essential to clearly inform passengers, including those buying tickets for flights scheduled more than a year in advance. NETOPIA held discussions with Dan Air to identify a solution for passenger protection and rejects the company's attempt to bring into the public sphere a situation known and accepted through contractual clauses. Out of respect for privacy and judicial procedures, NETOPIA makes no further comments regarding the details of the contractual relationship. Dan Air claims that Netopia 'blocks revenue from ticket sales, while airport management exerts pressure for additional payments that cannot be made in the context of blocked revenues'. ^[4]

Dan Air operates regular commercial flights from 'Henri Coandă' (Bucharest) and 'George Enescu' (Bacău). The company has flights in Europe (London, Dublin, Turin, Paris, Dortmund) and towards the Middle East. Founded in 2017, Dan Air was the first airline to open and operate line flights from Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport in 2023. Due to misunderstandings regarding the schedule at Brașov Airport, Dan Air moved its main operational base to the Bacău airport. Dan Air's debts reached 126.3 million lei in 2025, compared to 90 million lei in 2024. ^[4]

Update

Netopia Blocks Dan Air Collections Since October 23

Payment processor Netopia began withholding collections from airline tickets sold by Dan Air on October 23, 2026, a decision the airline attributes to fears arising from the insolvency of competitor AnimaWings. Blocked funds now exceed €930,000, plus approximately €440,000 in guarantees, reaching a total of over €1.3 million. On November 2, 2026, Netopia unilaterally and without notice terminated the payment processing contract, consolidating its monopoly over the funds. ^[5]

Passengers who received notifications regarding reservation cancellations have two avenues for fund recovery: they can contact Netopia directly at email address [email protected], or request reimbursement through the card-issuing bank. For the chargeback (payment dispute) procedure, passengers must invoke the fact that the payment processor did not make the payment to the service provider. Dan Air recommends mentioning the reservation code, payment date, and amount paid in the request. In addition to direct complaints to the processor and banks, Dan Air directed passengers to file complaints with the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC). ^[5]

The cancellation of most reservations was caused by non-payment, as Netopia intervened between Dan Air and passengers, preventing the completion of ticket payments. Dan Air contests Netopia's justification, arguing that, unlike AnimaWings, it requested the opening of insolvency proceedings with the intention of reorganizing, not suspending operations. The airline highlights that it continued to operate flights for 14 days after the collection blockade, using own resources, including costs borne out-of-pocket by aircraft commanders for fuel and fees. Dan Air accuses Netopia that, by withholding all passenger funds and terminating the contract overnight, it engineered a strategy that damaged the company's image and left thousands of passengers without transport. ^[5]

The diversity between Netopia's and Dan Air's arguments highlights the complexity of the insolvency process. While the processor invokes passenger protection and contractual guarantees, Dan Air emphasizes Netopia's lack of willingness to collaborate on a reorganization solution. Dan Air's decision to initiate insolvency proceedings, concerning debts estimated at over 126 million lei in 2025, is viewed by the processor as a legitimate warning signal that triggered fund protection. Dan Air, as an experienced airline operator, admits having a history of debt but argues that Netopia's blockade is disproportionate and unjustified, given its demonstration of good faith by maintaining short-term operations. Dan Air requests the opening of insolvency proceedings, with the explicit goal of avoiding bankruptcy and resuming normal operations, while Netopia continues to withhold all collections to cover contractual risks. ^[5]

Update

Netopia Blocks Dan Air Collections; Reservations Cancelled for Over 11,000 Passengers

Airline operator Dan Air informed passengers that all reservations paid by card via payment processor NETOPIA, for which funds have not been settled, have been cancelled, and over 11,000 passengers are affected. The company specifies that it does not have access to the funds withheld and unsettled by Netopia, and through the unilateral and immediate termination of the contract by the processor, it became the sole entity responsible for refunding these sums. ^[6]

'Funds associated with these tickets never reached DAN AIR, because starting October 23, 2026, NETOPIA withheld all passenger funds, blocked funds currently exceeding €930,000 and approximately €440,000 in guarantees, totaling over €1.3 million, and on November 2, 2026, NETOPIA unilaterally and without notice terminated the payment processing contract, meaning DAN AIR no longer has any control over the refund process,' the airline transmitted. ^[6]

Passengers whose reservations were cancelled can contact the payment processor Netopia, which holds the paid funds, directly at email address [email protected], and can also request reimbursement through the card-issuing bank where they paid, through the payment dispute (chargeback) procedure, invoking the fact that the payment processor did not pay the service provider. Additionally, passengers can file a complaint with the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) regarding how their funds were managed by the processor, at address [email protected]. ^[6]

Update

Dan Air Cancels Reservations for Over 11,000 Passengers After Netopia Withholds Funds

Airline company Dan Air announced that reservations paid by card, for which payment processor Netopia did not settle funds, have been cancelled. According to the statement, over 11,000 passengers are affected by this situation. Dan Air managers specify that the total amount withheld by Netopia stands at approximately €1.3 million, including both blocked funds and guarantees. They insist that Netopia became the sole entity responsible for refunds after the unilateral termination of the contract. Dan Air explains that Netopia intervened between the company and passengers, preventing the completion of payments to the carrier. It results that most tickets remained unpaid, a state that led to the cancellation of reservations. A Dan Air statement mentions that on November 2, 2026, Netopia unilaterally and without notice terminated the payment processing contract. This decision consolidated the fund blockade, funds that, moreover, never reached Dan Air's accounts. Dan Air previously requested the Bucharest Court to issue a preliminary injunction to compel Netopia to resume settlements. Meanwhile, the company has payment deadlines for services to ROMTSA, risking suspension of terminal air navigation. On October 29, 2026, Dan Air publicly demanded the resignation of Netopia's leadership and the director of Bacău Airport, accusing them of attempting to block operations. Previously, on October 4, the company announced the temporary relocation of operations to Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest, after Bacău Airport had requested insolvency. On October 22, Dan Air announced that it had requested entry into insolvency proceedings at the Bucharest Court, stating that tickets remain valid and passengers do not need to take additional measures. ^[7]

Update

Bucharest Court Rejects Dan Air's Request to Unblock Funds Blocked by Netopia

The Bucharest Court rejected airline operator Dan Air's request to unblock funds withheld by payment processor Netopia. According to the decision, the company may appeal the reasoning in a higher court if it considers it necessary to recover its claims. ^[8]

The cancellation of reservations, affecting over 11,000 passengers, was announced by Dan Air on November 5, 2026, for tickets paid by card through Netopia, which had not been settled. The company advises passengers to check the status of their reservation in writing using the received code, as the flight date does not confirm receipt of payment. ^[8]

The company cancelled reservations only on November 5, 2026, although Netopia withheld funds starting October 23. Dan Air banned card purchases from November 3, allowing only bank transfers temporarily, and hopes to restore card access after operational stabilization. ^[8]

Passengers can verify if their ticket is still valid only if Dan Air confirms this. The company suggests requesting the reservation status in writing using the code received upon purchase and keeping the response for arguments. ^[8]

Dan Air claims that Netopia withheld payment starting October 23, 2026, leading to unsettled funds of over €930,000. To these sums are added approximately €440,000 in guarantees, totaling over €1.3 million. These funds are separate from the price of tickets purchased by passengers. ^[8]

Dan Air urges its passengers to request refunds directly from Netopia, invoking that the processor closed the payment processing contract unilaterally and without notice on November 2, 2026, thereby retaining control over the funds. ^[8]

In reply, Netopia states that its measures are based on the contract concluded with Dan Air in 2023. Money kept as guarantees is in special bank accounts and is not used for its own activity. For cancelled flights, the processor recommends recovering money by contesting the transaction at the card-issuing bank. ^[8]

The conflict also features the context of the insolvency file of Bacău Airport against Dan Air, filed on October 29, 2026. The airport mentioned that on November 2, 2026, Dan Air had arrears of 1,343,809.54 lei. The airline requested the opening of insolvency proceedings on October 22, 2026, declaring that over 83% of debts had an age of at most 33 days. ^[8]

Passengers whose flights were cancelled can request reimbursement, an alternative, or compensation according to European rules. Compensation is not awarded if the cancellation notice is made at least 14 days before the flight. If the notice comes between 14 and 7 days before, exceptions apply depending on the schedule differences of the alternative. At notices under 7 days, compensation is reduced if the alternative falls within certain time limits. ^[8]

Passengers wishing to contest payment for unsettled tickets can appeal to the card-issuing bank. The procedure varies depending on the bank and card type, requiring proof of payment and service cancellation. ^[8]

Update

Bucharest Court Rejects Dan Air's Request to Unblock Funds Blocked by Netopia

Airline operator Dan Air cancels all reservations paid by card via payment processor Netopia, for which funds have not been settled, showing a direct impact on over 11,000 passengers. Netopia withheld all collections starting October 23, 2026, the blocked sum exceeding €930,000, plus approximately €440,000 in guarantees, reaching a total of over €1.3 million. On November 2, 2026, Netopia unilaterally and without notice terminated the payment processing contract; Dan Air considers that through this action the processor became the sole entity responsible for refunding the funds. Passengers are directed to request refunds directly from Netopia or, alternatively, through the chargeback (payment dispute) procedure at the card-issuing bank. Additionally, passengers can file complaints with the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC). The airline operator announced the temporary relocation of all operations from George Enescu Airport in Bacău to Henri Coandă Otopeni Airport, after Bacău Airport management had requested the opening of insolvency proceedings against it. ^[9]

Update

Dan Air Cancels Reservations for Over 11,000 Passengers After Netopia Withholds Funds

Airline company Dan Air announced that it has cancelled reservations for over 11,000 passengers for tickets paid by card via payment processor Netopia, which have not been settled. The dispute between the airline operator and Netopia overlaps with a separate conflict regarding blocked funds and tensions between Dan Air and Bacău Airport. ^[11]

Update

Netopia Blocks Dan Air Collections; Passengers Should Request Money from the Processor

Passengers with cancelled tickets must request reimbursement of sums directly from Netopia, the payment processor holding the withheld funds. Reservations for flights operated by Dan Air, for which payment processor Netopia did not remit funds, have been cancelled, affecting over 11,000 passengers. Passengers must ask for their money back from Netopia, as the airline no longer has access to funds withheld and unsettled by the processor. Wall-Street.ro, an online business newspaper part of the InternetCorp group, reported on the Dan Air situation. ^[10]

Dan Air confirmed that Netopia withheld all passenger funds starting October 23, 2026, blocked funds exceeding €930,000, plus approximately €440,000 in guarantees, totaling over €1.3 million. The sum never reached Dan Air's accounts. On November 2, 2026, Netopia unilaterally terminated the payment processing contract without notice, causing the processor to become the sole entity responsible for refunding sums. Passengers can request reimbursement through the card-issuing bank (chargeback), invoking the fact that the processor did not pay the service provider. Complaints can also be filed with ANPC. ^[10]

Dan Air temporarily moved its operations from Bacău Airport to Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest, after Bacău Airport management requested the opening of insolvency proceedings against the company and conditioned handling services on additional payments. On October 22, 2026, Dan Air filed at the Ilfov Court the request for opening insolvency proceedings, with the intention of reorganizing its activity, according to Law No. 85/2014, which allows a viable company to continue its activity and pay debts based on a plan approved by creditors. ^[10]

Update

Bucharest Court Rejects Dan Air's Request to Unblock Funds Blocked by Netopia

The lawsuit between airline operator Dan Air and payment processor Netopia continues, after the Bucharest Court rejected on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Dan Air's request to unblock funds withheld from ticket sales. According to the court decision, the rejection measure is not final; the airline operator may appeal the reasoning in a higher court if it considers its claims necessary. ^[12]

The conflict between the two entities is based on contrasting interests: Dan Air considers the fund blockage an act of pressure affecting its operational capacity, while Netopia invokes contractual clauses to justify the withholding of sums. The payment processor argued that it did not permit the transfer of money to Dan Air due to the risk that, in case of actual insolvency and flight cancellations, Netopia would be obliged to refund customers for purchased but unused tickets. Thus, Netopia considered the refusal to transfer funds a financial protection measure for passengers. ^[12]

Update

Netopia blocks Dan Air funds, 11,000+ passengers affected by reservation cancellations

Over 11,000 passengers' reservations were cancelled due to a dispute between airline Dan Air and payment processor Netopia, where Netopia retained over €1.3 million in funds. According to a press release on Thursday, NETOPIA began retaining collection sales from DAN AIR starting on October 23, 2026. The airline states: 'Amounts related to these tickets have never reached DAN AIR... Blocked funds currently exceed 930,000 euros and approximately 440,000 euros in guarantees, totaling over 1.3 million euros.' DAN AIR affirms that on November 2, NETOPIA unilaterally terminated the payment processing agreement without notice. The company explains that because customer payments did not reach the carrier, ticket payments were incomplete, leading to cancellations. Affected passengers are recommended to request refunds directly from NETOPIA via email at [email protected]. Another option is requesting a refund through the bank that issued the card used for purchase, via the chargeback procedure. Passengers can request refunds through the issuing bank of the card used for payment (chargeback procedure), citing that the payment processor did not pay the service provider. The company recommends that requests include the reservation code, the date of payment, and the amount paid. Passengers can also file complaints with the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC). DAN AIR claims that NETOPIA blocked collections in response to problems in the aviation industry. The airline considers that NETOPIA's decision to retain funds was driven by concerns arising after AnimaWings suspended its flights following an insolvency petition. However, DAN AIR asserts its situation is different, as it requested the opening of insolvency proceedings with the intention to reorganize and continue operations. The company claims it continued operating flights for 14 days using its own funds after Netopia blocked collections. Some employees, including pilots, covered fuel and other costs from their own pockets. NETOPIA chose to block all passenger funds and terminate the contract unilaterally and without notice. The retention of funds prevented the completion of ticket payments and led to the cancellation of reservations. ^[13]

Update

Bucharest Court Supports Netopia's Withholding of Dan Air Funds

The Bucharest Court rejected airline operator Dan Air's request to compel payment processor Netopia to remit sums collected from ticket sales, maintaining the blockade of withheld funds. Blocked funds, exceeding €1.3 million, remain in the form of guarantees for passenger refunds, with passengers urged to recover money through the chargeback procedure at issuing banks. Netopia clarifies that in case a transaction is contested, money is returned to passengers directly by the processor, regardless of Dan Air's financial situation. Through Civil Judgment No. 3363 dated November 3, 2026, the Bucharest Court rejected the preliminary injunction requested by Dan Air to resume settlements. The court established that Netopia's refusal to transfer money does not constitute an abusive act, but a permitted contractual conservation, considering the processor's role as guarantor before Visa and Mastercard networks for flights not carried out. Judges noted that once spent by Dan Air, the money could no longer be recovered if the processor's right to withhold it were subsequently established. The court also noted that the company's financial difficulties are caused by multiple claims from other creditors. Amid contradictory information, Netopia published clarifications regarding its role in the purchase process to guide passengers on payment status. Netopia explains that the processor does not sell tickets nor operate flights, and client confirmation of the reservation signifies fulfillment of the payment obligation towards Dan Air. The transaction authorized by the issuing bank, the airline issues the ticket, and the cancellation decision belongs exclusively to the operator. Money recovery is realized by submitting a request to the card-issuing bank. The payment dispute (chargeback) procedure functions independently of the airline's financial situation. Chargeback is a standard procedure regulated by Visa and Mastercard. Passengers must contact the bank via internet/mobile banking or phone, specifying the payment contestation for the Dan Air ticket. The correct refusal reason is 'service paid and not provided by airline operator'; other reasons may lead to rejection of the request. Documents required for contestation include: account statement or payment notification, reservation confirmation (PNR code and ticket number), and the cancellation message from Dan Air. Messages sent directly to Netopia do not trigger chargeback; the request must be addressed to the bank. Netopia warns passengers not to transmit card data (number, expiry, CVV) via email. Funds held as guarantees are protected, kept in special accounts, and not used in the processor's own activity. These funds are intended exclusively to cover refunds to passengers. According to European Regulation 261/2004, in case of flight cancellation, Dan Air must offer reimbursement or rerouting, plus possible compensation. Passengers can notify ANPC for clarifications. Dan Air announced the temporary relocation of operations from Bacău to Bucharest (Otopeni) due to loss of confidence in Bacău Airport management. Bacău Airport requested insolvency against Dan Air on October 29, 2026, although the company insists that debts have an age of at most 33 days, below the legal threshold of 60 days. On October 22, Dan Air filed its own reorganization request under court protection. Netopia reacted to Dan Air's accusations, which called for the resignation of the processor and Bacău Airport director, accusing it of an attempt to block operations. Netopia emphasized passenger protection and mentioned that sum withholding is provided by the 2023 contract for managing chargeback risk. The processor put in place a clear information procedure for passengers for future flights, rejecting the deformation of the situation in the public space by Dan Air. Dan Air continues to operate regular flights from Bucharest and Bacău, with total debts of 126.3 million lei in 2025. ^[14]