El Al Demands Emergency Aviation Law Changes to Protect Airline Operations at Ben Gurion Airport

El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. has sent a sharp warning to Israel’s Minister of Transport, Miri Regev, calling for urgent adjustments to aviation law.

The airline says current restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport, including a limit of just 50 passengers per departing flight and a maximum of one flight per hour, make normal airline operations impossible.

The message is clear: without temporary legal changes, El Al warns it could face serious financial harm.

The Core Demands

El Al wants a temporary adaptation of the Aviation Services Law to reflect the “emergency conditions” created by the ongoing war.

Specifically, the airline is asking for:

• Cancellation of passenger rights to compensation for flight cancellations
• Adjustments to entitlements for accommodation
• Modifications to rules on providing alternative flights

According to the airline, these steps are essential to allow flights to operate at all under the extreme limitations, without accumulating costs that are unrealistic in the current climate.

A Call for Dialogue

In its letter, El Al urges the Ministry of Transport and the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee to open an immediate discussion with all stakeholders.

The goal: craft solutions that maintain Israeli aviation activity despite the war conditions.

An El Al aircraft was spotted at Ben Gurion International Airport in February 2026, highlighting ongoing operations despite limitations.

Economic Pressures Intensify

The airline’s letter paints a stark economic picture.

On days without any commercial flights, El Al estimates direct losses of roughly $5 million per day.

Even when limited flights operate, revenue falls short of covering costs.

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High operating expenses, limited capacity, and extraordinary conditions are squeezing margins.

External pressures compound the problem. Rising jet fuel costs, fluctuating exchange rates, and the need to maintain full operational infrastructure despite restricted activity are driving expenses higher.

Even after normal operations resume, El Al anticipates a further adjustment period before revenue fully stabilizes.

Historical Context and Recent Performance

Since the start of the Iron Swords war in October 2023, El Al has had dominant control over Ben Gurion Airport and profitable North American routes.

In 2025, the airline’s share of these routes was 71%, down slightly from 91% in 2024.

Despite the challenges, El Al reported cumulative profits of $1 billion during this period and even resumed dividends for the first time since 2017, distributing $106 million to shareholders.

Impact and Consequences

If the government does not adapt the Aviation Services Law, El Al could face mounting financial losses, reduced flight capacity, and disruption of services critical to both domestic and international passengers.

The adjustments requested could significantly affect passengers’ rights, creating tension between operational survival and consumer protection.

The airline’s financial strain also highlights the fragility of aviation during conflict.

High operational costs combined with limited passenger capacity could threaten El Al’s ability to sustain profitable operations over the medium term.

What’s Next?

The Ministry of Transport and Knesset committees are expected to review El Al’s requests urgently.

Any temporary legal adaptations could set precedents for how aviation operates under wartime conditions.

Stakeholders, including passengers and industry regulators, will likely be consulted as solutions are formulated.

Summary

El Al Israel Airlines has called for immediate legal changes to allow continued operations under severe wartime restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport.

The airline warns of economic harm if passenger compensation rules remain unchanged.

While the company has remained profitable during the Iron Swords war, rising costs and operational constraints threaten its sustainability.

Dialogue with government authorities is now crucial to prevent financial and operational fallout.

Bulleted Takeaways

• El Al requests temporary changes to the Aviation Services Law due to wartime restrictions
• Current limits include 50 passengers per flight and one flight per hour at Ben Gurion Airport
• Requested changes cover cancellation of compensation, accommodation, and alternative flight entitlements
• Daily losses can reach $5 million when commercial flights are halted
• Rising fuel costs and operational demands exacerbate financial strain
• El Al previously reported $1 billion cumulative profits since October 2023 and resumed dividends
• Government and Knesset dialogue is needed to ensure continued aviation operations during the war