Ben Gurion Airport Strike: Are Passengers Entitled to Compensation for Delays?

The strike and disruptions recorded at Ben Gurion Airport last Thursday caused hours-long delays in flights, both for passengers departing from Israel and for those attempting to return home. However, unlike a standard flight delay, in this case it is not certain that passengers are entitled to compensation under the 'Tibi Law'.

In many cases where a flight is delayed, the Aviation Services Law, known as the 'Tibi Law', grants passengers rights according to the duration of the delay and its circumstances. These rights may include assistance services such as food and drink, and sometimes the possibility of receiving a refund or compensation, depending on the length of the delay and the conditions set by law.

However, in the case of a strike, the situation is different. When a disruption is caused by an event beyond the airline's control, it may be considered a circumstance that does not allow the company to prevent the delay or cancellation of the flight. In such a case, the airline may be exempt from paying financial compensation to passengers, depending on the specific circumstances and legal provisions.

This is similar to cases where operations at Ben Gurion Airport were suspended due to security situations, such as during the escalation with Iran. When the airport was closed and companies could not operate flights, it was not possible to expect them to prevent the disruption, and therefore the delay itself does not necessarily entitle the passenger to financial compensation.

However, it is important to distinguish between financial compensation and other passenger rights. Even when an airline is not required to pay compensation due to circumstances beyond its control, passengers may still have rights depending on the situation and the waiting time.

In addition, some airlines are currently offering passengers whose flights were delayed or affected by the disruptions the option to change their flight date or receive a voucher for another flight. In cases where the company is not required to do so by law, this is a benefit or a gesture of goodwill on its part, rather than a right that the passenger can demand.

Therefore, passengers whose flights were affected by the disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport should verify the exact reason for the delay or cancellation, identify the party responsible for the disruption, and review what the airline is offering in the specific case, rather than assuming that every delay of several hours automatically entitles them to financial compensation.