Court Orders Israir to Compensate Family for Flight Delay Due to Airspace Closure

A court in Herzliya has ordered the airline Israir to pay the Shnir family over 9,000 shekels in compensation for expenses incurred after their flight from Zanzibar was canceled due to the closure of Israeli airspace. The Shnir family was forced to extend their vacation by nine days and returned on June 27, having purchased new tickets on Fly Dubai for 12,245 shekels. In their lawsuit, the family sought reimbursement for food, water, and accommodation costs, as well as the difference for the new tickets, totaling 25,907 shekels. Israir had initially offered a refund of 5,027 shekels or a voucher with a 10% bonus. The court ruled that the airline deliberately failed to fulfill its obligation to assist passengers. While Israir cited force majeure and the military situation as reasons for the cancellation, the court determined that these circumstances did not absolve the company of its fundamental responsibilities.