El Al will offer customers who book flights in the next two weeks a free option to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure and receive a full credit voucher, it said Sunday.
Israeli carriers are trying to reassure passengers amid heightened uncertainty and shifting airline schedules, given the threat of war with Iran.
El Al said it would also reinforce its customer-service call centers starting Monday to assist passengers with existing bookings who want to make changes. Heavy demand could still lead to longer-than-usual wait times, it said.
Under the new El Al service, passengers purchasing new tickets starting on Monday will be able to cancel up to 48 hours before departure and receive a full voucher, with no additional cost at the time of purchase, for two weeks.
The policy would apply to departures and arrivals across El Al’s network through March 17, excluding LITE fares and bonus tickets, it said. Tickets are available via El Al’s website and travel agents.
Arkia also announced steps to ease concerns among travelers. Passengers holding flight-only bookings scheduled between January 26 and February 9 will be able to cancel for any reason, without cancellation fees, up to 48 hours before departure and receive an Arkia credit voucher, it said.
The offer comes in addition to its existing policy of allowing cancellations within 14 days of purchase, subject to Israeli law, it added.
Arkia CEO Oz Berlovitz said the airline has learned lessons from “two complex years” of security-related disruptions and has upgraded systems, response times, and staffing.
The company has set up a dedicated situation room to make real-time decisions and adjust schedules if needed, prepared an alternative flight plan for changing scenarios, and is ready to add flights to key destinations in Europe and the US if demand or conditions require it, he said.
International airlines trim schedules to Israel
The announcements come as some foreign airlines have adjusted operations in the region. KLM suspended flights to Tel Aviv in recent days amid regional tensions, while other carriers have reduced or shifted night operations, citing operational considerations tied to overnight crew stays, according to media reports.
Separate travel disruptions have also affected Israel routes due to severe winter weather in the northeastern US, with at least some cancellations attributed to storm conditions rather than the security situation.
No official directive had been issued instructing airlines to halt flights, Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben-Zaken said, adding that most were continuing as scheduled, and Israel’s skies remained open.
The Civil Aviation Authority has been in contact with relevant counterparts as officials work to limit a wider knock-on effect, he said.
Passengers are advised to monitor airline and airport updates closely, check fare-type exclusions and voucher terms before purchasing, and allow extra time for customer-service responses, as airlines are reporting elevated call volumes.