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Home » Law In Travel » U.S. Files Complaint Against Israel For Unequal Airline Treatment
IsraelLaw In Travel

U.S. Files Complaint Against Israel For Unequal Airline Treatment

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 13, 2021November 14, 2023 3 Comments

a plane flying in the sky

The U.S. Department of Transportation has filed a complaint with Israel, noting that El Al has continued to fly “repatriation” flights while U.S. carriers have been locked out.

U.S. Files Complaint Against Israel After

Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv has been closed since last January to almost all air traffic, as Israel tries to control the spread of virus and vaccinate its population. Originally intended to last a week, the airport closure has been extended to February 20th and will likely be extended even longer.

While Delta and United continue cargo operations to Tel Aviv, they are not allowed to transport any passengers. Meanwhile, El Al Israeli Airlines has been allowed to operate a limited number of flights with passengers on a “humanitarian” or “repatriation” basis.

A Delta spokesperson noted:

“Delta is not currently operating passenger services between Israel and the United States because of the ongoing government restrictions. Delta’s application for authority to operate flights to repatriate people in both directions was denied by the government of Israel.”

Enter the U.S. DOT, which is using the mechanism of the Open Skies Agreement between the USA and Israel to lodge a formal complaint, the first step in a process which could see Israeli airlines blocked from the USA.

The 2010 agreement holds:

Each Party shall allow a fair and equal opportunity for the airlines of both Parties to compete in providing the international air transportation governed by this Agreement.

An Israeli official told CNN that the move was intended to stop the spread of virus, not give El Al an unfair advantage

While a formal complaint, known as a Part 213 Order, has been launched, it is likely merely a formality and the issue will be solved once TLV Airport re-opens.

CONCLUSION

Let’s call this what it is…a chance to boost the home team. That’s hardly unique in this era with Air India pulling the same tricks and nations around the world bailing out their flag carriers. In this case, however, it should soon be resolved once Israel re-opens.

image: Adam Moreira

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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3 Comments

  1. derek Reply
    February 13, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Israel knows how to settle complaints better than the US. Once Israel sent some commandos to retaliate. They set off small bombs to destroy a bunch of airliners parked on the ground at Beirut airport.

  2. Uri Reply
    February 14, 2021 at 3:09 am

    For many months El Al was grounded, while United kept daily EWR-TLV flights. So now US carriers don’t fly to TLV and El Al makes a handful of flights.
    It’s true that banning all but El Al is unfair, but very minor. That is, unless this becomes routine

  3. Moshe Reply
    February 14, 2021 at 4:04 am

    Buttigieg is an anti Semite! How Dare they Blame Israel. we expect immediate Financial AID from USA and a Lot of Latest weapons to go with them.

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