Passenger Rights & Flight Compensation ⚖️
The complete guide to passenger rights - when are you eligible, how much, and how to claim.
TL;DR:
The Israeli Aviation Services Law (Tibi Law) grants you fixed financial compensation for a cancellation or significant delay of a flight - regardless of the ticket price. The amounts are determined by distance and apply to all flights to and from Israel, including foreign airlines.
What is the Aviation Services Law?
The Israeli law provides broad protection to passengers on flights to and from Israel. Unlike European legislation (EU261), the Israeli law also covers flights by foreign companies and charter flights.
- International Flights: Any flight departing from or arriving in Israel
- Connections: Flights with layovers
- Domestic Flights: Between airports in Israel
Compensation Amounts by Distance
| Flight Distance | Compensation (2025) | Destination Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 km | ₪1,530 | Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Egypt |
| 2,000 - 4,500 km | ₪2,450 | Romania, France, Germany, Spain |
| Over 4,500 km | ₪3,670 | New York, USA, India, Thailand |
When am I eligible?
Flight Delay
You are eligible for compensation when the flight is delayed by 8 hours or more from the original scheduled time.
Flight Cancellation
In case of a canceled flight, you are eligible unless the airline notified you at least 14 days before the scheduled date.
Advanced Flight
If the flight was advanced by more than 8 hours and the company notified you less than 14 days in advance - you are eligible.
Airlines are exempt in "extraordinary circumstances" (extreme weather, security risks), protected strikes, or unexpected and unusual technical faults. The burden of proof is on the airline!
The European Law - EU261/2004
In addition to the Israeli law, there is also the European Law EC 261/2004 which protects passengers on flights from Europe (any airline) or to Europe (European airlines). The main difference: the European law grants compensation for delays of just 3-4 hours (instead of 8 hours in Israel). Compensation ranges from €250 to €600.
How to claim compensation?
1. Gather Evidence
Keep tickets, boarding passes, emails, and receipts for expenses.
2. Contact Airline
Send an official written request detailing the flight and compensation required.
3. Wait for Reply
The airline has 45 days to respond according to the law.
4. Small Claims
If refused, you can file in small claims court without a lawyer (limitation: 4 years).