Arkia Accused of Deceiving Passengers on Luggage Fees for State-Funded Flights
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Arkia Airlines is under scrutiny for allegedly charging passengers for luggage on state-funded rescue flights from Dubai, while competitors like El Al and Israir did not impose such fees. Customers claim Arkia was not transparent about the separate transport of their luggage and that the airline may have violated consumer protection laws by charging for a service not rendered on the same flight. The airline contends it incurs significant costs for handling and delivering luggage after it arrives in Israel and stated it would refund passengers if the state covered these additional expenses. The Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority is investigating the matter.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Arkia Airlines allegedly charged passengers hundreds of dollars for luggage on state-funded rescue flights.
- Competitors Israir and El Al did not charge passengers for luggage on similar state-funded flights.
- Passengers claim Arkia failed to disclose that luggage would be transported separately from the passenger flight.
- The airline's actions may constitute a violation of consumer protection laws regarding misleading practices.
- The Consumer Protection and Fair Trade Authority is investigating Arkia for potential consumer deception.
- Arkia stated it handles complex logistics for luggage delivery and would refund fees if the state covered these costs.
Arkia Airlines is facing accusations of charging passengers hundreds of dollars for luggage on rescue flights, even though the luggage was not transported on the same plane and the state covered the cost of cargo flights. The state is funding the transport of passengers' luggage from Dubai via cargo flights operated by Challenge Airlines. Despite this, Arkia allegedly charged passengers for luggage transport, with some families paying hundreds of dollars, unlike competitors Israir and El Al, which did not charge for this service.
Customers reported that Arkia was not transparent about the luggage situation, failing to disclose that their bags would not be on the passenger flight. One family described purchasing four one-way tickets from Dubai to Israel with Arkia for $357 per ticket, a higher price than offered by El Al ($249) and Israir ($299). This family, returning from a three-week trip in Japan with nine suitcases and four carry-ons, was then asked to pay an additional $670 for luggage, bringing their total to approximately $2,100. They agreed to this payment believing their luggage would be on the same flight.
It later emerged that their luggage was not loaded onto the plane, and Arkia allegedly lacked state authorization to transport cargo, only passengers. Passengers claim Arkia did not inform them at the time of booking or afterward that the state was handling the luggage transport separately. "Arkia's course of action, apparently, misled consumers because it led us to believe that by charging for checked baggage, the suitcases would arrive in the cargo hold of the plane we were flying on," one passenger stated. "This is why, in addition to the baggage charge, I agreed to pay a higher price for the base ticket, even though we had other alternatives."
Beyond charging for a service not provided, Arkia allegedly failed to explicitly state that luggage transport was separate and not on the passenger flight, potentially violating consumer protection laws regarding misleading practices. El Al and Israir, in contrast, informed passengers that luggage would be transported separately and at no cost, although passengers had to collect it later. Arkia's response stated that while the state funds luggage transport to Israel, Arkia handles the logistics, sorting, and delivery to customers, incurring significant costs. The airline added that if the state were to cover these additional handling and shipping costs, Arkia would refund the passengers.
Mentioned
