Israeli airlines Air Haifa and Arkia are facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly misleading their customers into accepting a refund for their canceled flight tickets during the 12-day war with Iran, and then selling new tickets at exorbitant prices.

According to the separately filed requests for class action approval, the two airlines allegedly violated consumer protection and aviation laws. Arkia and Air Haifa are accused of offering customers, whose flights had been canceled due to the Iran conflict, a refund only, while concealing or omitting the legal entitlement to provide them with the option of an alternative flight.

As stipulated in the provisions of the Aviation Services Law, a customer whose flight has been canceled is entitled to choose between two main options: a monetary refund of the purchased ticket or an alternative flight.

Israel’s airspace remained largely closed during the 12 days of conflict with Iran that began on June 13, leading to waves of flight cancellations that left many stranded abroad. As part of a government-led operation, on June........

© The Times of Israel