Airlines that have suffered a significant drop in revenue will be able to return the money to customers in about a month and a half • Negotiations with countries to receive Israeli tourists

• El Al planes are still on the ground

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  Yossi Zeliger

Airlines are going through the hardest time they have ever known. The Knesset's Economics Committee approved on second and third reading the government proposal to amend the Aviation Services Law. Under the amendment, airlines will start returning money to passengers whose flight was canceled during the corona period only on October 1st.

So far, the date was August 14, two more days, but as stated today it was decided to postpone it due to the complex situation in which the airlines and tourism found themselves. Many airlines around the world have not yet returned to activity, some of the airlines have collapsed and two Israeli airlines, El Al and Arkia, have been shut down for many months. The government's request to limit the postponement was also approved - only airlines that suffered a 70 percent drop in revenue from the same quarter last year will be eligible.

Committee Chairman Yaakov Margie said at the end of the hearing that “committee members have shown responsibility in approving the first rejection, and now another responsibility is being sought. "Despite the frustration with the current amendment, this is necessary because the alternative of the collapse of the airlines is worse."

At the same time, by the end of the week, details of the sky-opening plan are expected to be published, in which a few countries are expected to agree to accept tourists from Israel after undergoing corona tests. It was announced yesterday that the HMOs will perform and fund corona tests for their insured who fly abroad, the tests will be conducted after proof of an upcoming flight.

It is important to mention that most green countries do not accept tourists from Israel and the Foreign Ministry is working with their counterparts in various countries around the world in order to create agreements that will allow Israeli tourists to fly abroad. In, Russia and Brazil.