Eliezer Shkedi
Photo: Yonatan Bloom
'El-Al discriminated against because we're Jewish'
National air carrier's CEO says El-Al is excluded from international aviation treaties thus impeding its ability to compensate clients over canceled flights
"El-Al is excluded from major aviation treaties because we're Jewish," Eliezer Shkedi, CEO of El-Al told the Knesset's Finance Committee
Shkedi claimed that the discrimination against Israel's
national air carrier limits its ability to offer its clients viable alternatives in the event of an unexpected change in international flights.
Shkedi attended a panel of experts ahead of a House vote on a bill aiming to ensure clients' full compensation over changed or canceled flights.
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He further explained that the international aviation arena is made up of three treaties, each comprising of 2,500-4,000 planes and encompassing hundreds of airports and thousands of flight routes.
But all of Israel's aviation companies combined have only 45 planes, which impedes El-Al's ability to deal with unexpected flight changes.
"When Lufthansa has a problem, they can offer clients a wide range of solutions – Israel has only one (international) airport so our ability is limited," he said.
Deutsche Lufthansa is Germany's flag air carrier and the largest airline in Europe.
Knesset's Finance Committee Chairman MK Carmel Shama (Likud) suggested that the Transportation Ministry allow El-Al to change the current guidelines for cancelled flights – which currently stand at eight hours – to 12 hours; or, alternatively, cut is by half, to four hours.
The committee said it would continue to back the bill, as it has "utmost importance for the consumers."
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