All the news about Israeli tourism

The economic committee discussed the bill for compensation and assistance for passengers whose flight are delayed or cancelled as raised by MK Ahmad Tibi, MK Ibrahim Sarsur, MK Talab El-Sana, and MK Masud Ganaim.  Koby Zussman: Passengers are the bread and butter of the airlines and any law implemented must be simple to apply.

The bill brought by MK Tibi, requires that airlines compensate their passengers for flight delays, cancellations or overbooking.  The compensation will include among other things, hotel accommodation or provision of meals and financial compensation in the range of 1,250 to 3,000 shekels per passenger.

Representatives at the discussion include the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Airports Authority, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour, Consumer Protection Council, El Al, Arkia, Israir, Panel of foreign airlines, operators of scheduled and charter flights, the Travel Agents Association, Tour Operators Association, travel agencies, consumer organizations, Histadrut Labor Federation and the National Workers Union.

According to the Koby Zussman, head of IATA in Israel, if the law is implemented it will need to be simple so that it will be easy to calculate the extent of any loss, subject to the position of the airlines.

“This is a delicate matter and must be comparable to how the similar laws are applied overseas, the situation of the airlines is sensitive and it is important that this is taken into account,” added Zussman.