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The change is designed to give passengers greater confidence to book travel at a time when schedules remain unpredictable.
By United with Israel Staff
El Al, Arkia, and Israir have announced temporary changes to their flight cancellation and refund policies as airlines and travelers grapple with growing uncertainty tied to heightened tensions with Iran.
El Al said Sunday that customers who book flights over the next two weeks will be able to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure and receive a full credit voucher.
The change, the airline said, is designed to give passengers greater confidence to book travel at a time when schedules remain unpredictable. The policy applies to new bookings for departures and arrivals through March 17, with some fare types excluded.
The carrier also plans to reinforce its customer service call centers starting Monday to help passengers with existing reservations, although it warned that heavy demand could lead to longer than usual wait times.
Arkia is implementing a similar offer, allowing travelers holding flight-only reservations scheduled between January 26 and February 9 to cancel up to 48 hours before departure for a credit voucher, also without additional cancellation fees.
Israir has modified its “cancellation shield” product, allowing passengers who purchase the option to cancel up to three days before departure for a refund, instead of the standard seven days, through the end of February.
The changes come against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions tied to the ongoing standoff between the United States and Iran.
As fears of sudden conflict persist, several major international carriers have adjusted operations across the Middle East.
Dutch airline KLM, for example, has suspended flights and is avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and the Gulf region amid security concerns, while other European airlines have also canceled or rerouted flights in response to the volatile situation.
Foreign carriers have cited safety considerations as the primary reason for altering schedules, leading to broader ripple effects across international travel networks.
Despite the disruptions, Israeli airlines have so far maintained regular operations, opting instead to offer passengers greater flexibility rather than mass cancellations.
The steps by El Al, Arkia, and Israir are aimed at reassuring customers amid fears that sudden geopolitical developments could lead to flight disruptions or changes in airspace access.
With the region on edge and airlines worldwide carefully monitoring the situation, travelers are being encouraged to stay informed of the latest schedule updates and make use of the expanded protections now available from Israeli carriers.
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