Just before the children go on the big holiday and shortly before the traditional summer holidays, and precisely when airlines and tourism start to recover after the Corona virus hit them hard, a "plague" of flight cancellations has begun in recent days.
Many Israelis who expected to vacation a little overseas discovered to their amazement that the very fact that they booked a ticket does not guarantee that they will actually have a flight.
The reasons for this are varied;
Lack of workers, sanctions on crews, high demand for flights - all of these and other factors have led to its existence in the current problematic situation.
So what should we check before we close the next vacation?
And what happens if my flight is canceled through no fault of my own?
Here are some questions on the subject - and answers by Adv. Inbal Naim from the law firm of Doron, Tikotsky, Kantor, Gutman, Ness, Amit Gross & Co.
I canceled a flight initiated by the airline shortly before takeoff, and got stuck at the airport. Who cares for me?
"The flight operator must by law provide the passenger whose flight has been delayed for more than two hours or canceled, and the postponement caused the passenger to get stuck at the airport - food, drinks and accommodation as needed. If the flight operator did not take care of you, you purchase the services. These yourself - it is recommended to keep all receipts and invoices for what you purchased (food, drinks, etc.) and file a claim immediately upon your return to Israel. "
In such a case, am I entitled to any compensation also due to mental anguish?
"Beyond the reimbursement for the expenses incurred by you due to the cancellation of the flight, the court may rule that you will receive additional monetary compensation without proof of damage up to the amount of NIS 10,000."
What do you do when a flight is canceled ?, Photo: Coco
My flight was canceled due to employee sanctions and / or strikes at the airline. What happens in such a case?
"As stated, in the event that the airline cancels a flight on its own initiative - it should provide the passenger with alternative solutions (usually an alternative flight ticket or monetary compensation). This procedure is valid in any case of flight cancellation, regardless of the reason for cancellation. Travel - it is worthwhile and desirable to use it to find an alternative solution. "
"I did travel insurance abroad for the period of my stay overseas, but my flight was canceled and I ended up staying in the country. From whom should I ask for a refund of the cost of the flight ticket, hotel, car I rented and other expenses?
"
I did health insurance for the period of my stay abroad, but my flight was canceled and I could not find an alternative flight - and in the end I stayed in the country. From whom should I ask for a refund of the cost of the insurance policy?
" - Call the insurance center you did or the travel agent and receive a full refund of the premium. "
I booked a flight from a foreign low-cost company, which has no representative office in Israel. To my amazement, the flight was canceled and the company did not provide me with an alternative flight. What should I do?
"European law applies to any flight departing from a country in the EU and requires compensation for a passenger canceling a flight. Therefore, in such a situation - the foreign airline must let the passenger choose one of three options: A. Ticket for the nearest flight (next flight) to the destination booked. B. Flight at a later date to the same destination C. Receipt of financial compensation that can reach up to 600 euros per passenger. Consumer protection in Israel does not require a foreign airline.
I arrived at the airport on time, but I discovered a huge load there, very long queues and a delay in the security check, which prevented me from boarding the flight. What to do?
"The terms of the contract with the airlines require a passenger to arrive at the airport three hours before the flight, and during periods of congestion as recently experienced - airlines and tourists even issue advance notices asking passengers to arrive even 4 hours before the flight.
" Only.
In the event of a missed flight in such a case, the travel agent or the airline must be contacted immediately to copy the flight to the nearest date, or for a change as detailed above. "
The airline from which I booked a ticket canceled the flight shortly before takeoff. What should I do? Who's supposed to take care of my alternative flight?
"A distinction must be made between cancellation due to a medical cause, epidemic or death, which are included in the policy for travel abroad and all depend on the constraints of the passenger, and cancellation for any other reason related to the airline.
If the airline cancels, delays or delays the flight on its own initiative shortly before the departure time ('from now to now'), it is its responsibility to find you an alternative flight or provide you with financial compensation.
This is stipulated in the "Aviation Services Law" ("Tibi Law"), and the decision on whether the compensation will be a replacement ticket or a refund is in the hands of the passenger.
By the way, if you booked the flight through a travel agent - you can also contact them in such a situation, and get help from them.
"On the other hand, the situation is different when the cancellation depends on the reasons related to the passenger. Today, travel insurance policies abroad are quite comprehensive and cover cancellation or shortening of a trip due to a medical reason or the death of a close family member. Children, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents), as long as at the time of booking the flight and arranging the insurance, the passenger is not aware of the expected death of a relative.
"By the way, since the Corona epidemic, another insurance has entered our lives - the Corona Shield, which should be purchased especially as an extension to the existing policy and it protects the passenger financially from contracting the virus before leaving or during the trip, including entering isolation or closing the destination due to closure. Reimbursement for flight cancellation, hotels, car rental, etc., and will pay in the destination country the expenses of shortening / extending the stay up to the amount of insurance coverage purchased (up to a maximum amount of $ 5,000), including hotel and required medical treatment. "
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