Israeli Family Stuck Abroad During War Wins $5,000 Compensation from Airline

An Israeli family stranded abroad due to the outbreak of the "Iron Swords" war will receive approximately 18,000 shekels (around $5,000) in compensation from Royal Jordanian Airlines. The family, consisting of two parents and three children, was scheduled to return from a vacation in Italy on October 7, 2023, via Amman. However, their original flight was canceled following the war's outbreak, and a subsequent replacement flight was also canceled. The airline failed to provide alternative arrangements or basic assistance such as accommodation, food, or communication support, forcing the family to cover these expenses themselves while relocating from Italy to Romania and purchasing new tickets from another airline. They only managed to return to Israel nine days after their original return date.

Royal Jordanian Airlines argued that the war constituted an extraordinary circumstance exempting them from compensation obligations, warning that such liabilities might deter airlines from operating flights to Israel during emergencies. The court rejected this defense, ruling that while airlines may be exempt from paying compensation for flight cancellations due to war, they remain obligated to provide immediate assistance to stranded passengers. Senior Registrar Limor Nissim-Lev emphasized that basic services like lodging, food, and communication are mandatory to address passengers' urgent needs in such situations.

The court ordered Royal Jordanian to pay the family 17,980 shekels, covering reimbursement for accommodation, meals, alternate flight tickets, refunds for unused tickets, and exemplary damages of 2,000 shekels for breaching passenger care duties. Additionally, the family was awarded 600 shekels for legal expenses. This ruling sends a clear message to airlines that even in emergencies like war, they cannot abandon passengers without support and must fulfill their basic care responsibilities.