The Israeli Aviation Services Law (Compensation and Assistance for Flight Cancellation or Change in Conditions), 2012, also known as the "Tibi Law", grants passengers important rights and regulates airline obligations in cases of flight cancellation or delay.
The Israeli Aviation Services Law applies to:
Important to know: The law also applies to flights of foreign airlines arriving to or departing from Israel.
The compensation amount is determined by the destination distance in air kilometers. Here are the updated amounts for 2025:
| Flight Distance | Compensation Amount | Example Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 km | ~$390 (NIS 1,440) | Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Greece |
| 2,000 - 4,500 km | ~$625 (NIS 2,310) | Romania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Spain |
| Over 4,500 km | ~$940-970 (NIS 3,460-3,580) | New York, Los Angeles, India, Thailand |
Compensation amounts are fixed by law and do not depend on the ticket price you paid. You are entitled to full compensation even if you purchased a cheap ticket or low-cost flight.
Additional compensation: In addition to the basic compensation, you can claim "exemplary damages" (compensation without proof of damage) in court up to NIS 11,940 (~$3,230).
You are entitled to compensation when the flight was delayed 8 hours or more from the originally scheduled time.
In case of flight cancellation, you are entitled to compensation unless the airline notified you of the cancellation at least 14 days before the scheduled date.
If the flight was moved up by more than 8 hours and the airline notified you less than 14 days in advance - you are entitled to compensation.
Airlines are exempt from compensation in the following cases:
Note: The burden of proof that the delay was due to exempt circumstances is on the airline!
If you are waiting for the delayed flight:
If you are not waiting for the delayed flight:
A delay over 8 hours is treated as a flight cancellation - full entitlement to monetary compensation + all the above benefits.
Document everything! Keep receipts for expenses incurred during the delay (food, hotel, transportation). If the airline did not provide what it was obligated to, you can claim reimbursement for expenses in addition to compensation.
Keep your flight ticket, boarding passes, airline notifications about delay/cancellation, screenshots of the information board at the airport, receipts for expenses.
Send a compensation request to the airline via email or registered mail. Include flight details, reason for claim and compensation amount.
The airline must respond within 45 days of receiving the request and pay compensation if agreed.
You can file a claim in small claims court (up to NIS 36,700) or magistrate court. You can also contact the Civil Aviation Authority for advice.
Not necessarily. Claims for smaller amounts (up to NIS 36,700) can be filed in small claims court without a lawyer. However, legal advice can help in complex cases.
In small claims court, the fee is relatively low (about NIS 200-500). If you win the case, the court can order the airline to reimburse your legal expenses.
The airline may offer a voucher, but does not require your consent. You are entitled to demand full monetary compensation according to the law. If the airline offers a voucher, check that its value is significantly higher than the monetary compensation amount and that its terms of use are convenient.
Extreme weather is considered "extraordinary circumstances" and the airline may be exempt from paying monetary compensation. However, you are still entitled to assistance (food, hotel, alternative flight or refund). The airline must prove that the flight cancellation was due to weather and not operational reasons.
Yes! In case of flight cancellation, if you choose not to fly on an alternative flight, you are entitled to both a full refund of the ticket money and monetary compensation according to the law.
Yes, the Aviation Services Law also applies to charter flights departing from or arriving to Israel.
If you missed a connecting flight due to a delay in the first flight, and all flights were purchased in one booking - you are entitled to compensation for the entire delay at the final destination. The airline must arrange an alternative connecting flight for you.
Yes, there are online services that specialize in claims under the Aviation Services Law. They handle the claim for you in exchange for a percentage of the compensation (usually 20-35%). This can be worthwhile in complex cases or when you don't have time to handle it yourself.
The Aviation Services Law is designed to protect you as a passenger and ensure that airlines treat you fairly. Don't hesitate to exercise your rights!
Please note: This information is general and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult a lawyer specializing in aviation law.
Last updated: January 2025
| Flight Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 km | ₪1,490 |
| 2,000 - 4,500 km | ₪2,380 |
| Over 4,500 km | ₪3,580 |
You can file a claim up to 4 years from the date of the incident. Even if your flight was delayed 2-3 years ago, you can still claim compensation.