Following the epidemic, the airline, including Swiss Air and Austrian Airlines, announced the cancellation of flights to Israel by March 28 • How to get refunds for vacation or airline tickets you canceled on your own initiative? • Can also be refunded for tickets to attractions and sports events • Guide

• Lufthansa airplane // Photo: Moshe Shay

• Ben Gurion Airport is empty of passengers // Photo: Coco

• South Korean tourists return to their country of origin // Photo: Joshua Yosef

• Passenger lands at Ben Gurion Airport // Photo: Coco

Airline crisis following Corona virus: In an unusual move, Lufthansa, including Swiss Air and Austrian Airlines, today announced a sweeping cancellation of flights to Israel by March 28.

This is not the first airline to cancel flights to and from Israel. In recent days, El Al has completely eliminated the lines to China, Japan, Thailand and Italy. Other companies operating in Israel and delayed the lines from Israel to various destinations: Hong Kong Pacific Catechumers, Sichuan Airlines and Chinese Hainan Airlines as well as Alitalia reduced its operations by 75% in light of the spread of the corona virus. The Rainier Trading Company, which is known for its particularly cheap flights to various destinations in Europe, is also expected to significantly reduce activity starting this week, as will the Wiz company.

If the crisis continues, we are likely to see more airlines canceling flights to Israel in the coming days. The buds can now be seen with cancellation of flights from Air France, to which other companies are expected to join.

Know Your Rights: The Guide to Canceling Corona Flight

The corona virus that spread from China to the rest of the world has created panic and panic not only in the health sector but also in many people who pre-booked flights abroad and now, due to the worldwide spread of viruses and the isolation provisions on return from various destinations around the world, want to cancel the longed-for vacation but may be stunned Difficulties and obstacles on the part of the various airlines.

So what are your rights about canceling a vacation? Which companies are going towards the customer and which ones are less? And will seniors be able to cancel more easily? We have examined for you in front of many tourism and airline companies and the Israeli Consumer Council what your rights are in case you wish to cancel your already booked vacation before the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Despite the financial damage - airlines tend to consider the consumer

The Consumer Protection Law provides that the consumer may cancel a flight, vacation or organized trip within 14 days of the date of the transaction or the date of receipt of an appropriate disclosure form, whichever is later, provided that the cancellation is not done within seven days, not rest days before the departure date. The airlines and tourism that facilitate cancellation policies are numerous. ELA, which absorbs the hardest and most thought-provoking blow to its customers, can also be counted, but also Arkia, Israir, Lufthansa Group, Isha, Torres Woman, Smart Air, Alice, Club Med, Flying Carpet, Gulliver and other companies. All of these and other companies allow cancellation beyond what the law requires, and this is undoubtedly a step that will economically harm them, but be very considerate of the consumer.

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Have you bought a football or Disneyland ticket? You are at the mercy of the business owner

An almost unrelated topic is overseas attractions, tickets, and deals. If you bought a football, concert, attraction, or even business deal with a business overseas, the deal is not covered by the Consumer Protection Act and here you are in the best interests of the business owner, The ticket seller or hotel.

In checking with major companies that sell tickets to concerts and sports events, including Ista Sports and Live Tick, they make it clear that they are still studying the issue, and are currently unable to opt out of consumer protection law. Meaning: If you booked a ticket to appear in France, for example, you will not receive the money back for canceling your trip, and of course if you are not within the scope of the Consumer Protection Law. It is important to note that companies change their cancellation policy frequently during this period, and it may very well be decided to allow refunds.

Relief for citizens over 65

Speaking to Ofer Merom, CEO of the Israeli Consumer Council, he emphasizes who are the law-abiding populations: "An old citizen who made the deal (over 65), a new immigrant, or a disabled person may cancel a deal made by phone or chat within 4 months From the date of purchase or the date of receipt of the disclosure form, whichever is later, and provided more than seven days (excluding Saturday and holiday) before the date of travel. The cancellation fee that the consumer pays is 5% or 100 NIS at their lowest for each card. "

"If there is a travel warning, which means a flight ban and not a general statement that only if the flight is needed, then there is a thwarting and then the consumer is entitled to receive the return. Our recommendation is even if the airline does not agree to cancel the flight, you should try to cancel the hotel or show alone and try Save at least part of the money, "Merom adds.

At the same time, businessmen from the tourism sector talk about very difficult days. "We are collapsing, if all this is not over soon and if the Ministry of Health does not ease these delusional guidelines, we will get in trouble, entire families will not be able to make a living. This is a branch that tens of thousands of people make a living in this country, it is a huge damage to our economy. We are not just crying, there is a big disaster here ", Says a businessman in the tourism industry.