El Al To Pay More Than $61 Million Over Delayed COVID Ticket Refunds
By Pesach Benso
The
US ordered Israel’s national air carrier, El Al, to refund passengers
$61.9 million for flights that were cancelled or substantially delayed
during the coronavirus pandemic, the US Department of Transportation
announced on Monday.
El Al will also pay a $900,000 penalty for the delayed refunds.
Five other airlines, Frontier, Aeromexico, Air India, TAP Portugaland Avianca were also hit with similar fines and penalties.
“It shouldn’t take an enforcement action from the U.S. Department of
Transportation to get airlines to pay refunds that they’re required to
pay,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
The six carriers will pay a combined $600 million in refunds and penalties.
An El Al statement to Passport News said that “El Al returned the
customers their money,” and following “a long conversation” with US
authorities, would pay a “symbolic fine.”
The statement also said that expediting refund payments during the
pandemic was further complicated by “the dragging out of discussions to
receive government aid.” Facing bankruptcy during the pandemic, El Al
received a $400 million goverment bailout in 2020.
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