After receiving some $210 million in aid from the government, El Al Israel Airlines is “working like crazy” to refund payments for flight tickets that were canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, the national air carrier said Thursday.
“Since last week, more than 80% of all refunds have been issued,” a company spokesman said. “We are working quickly to finish refunding tickets for all Israeli customers in the next few weeks.
“For customers around the world, we are doing everything possible to expedite that as well, and in the next few weeks, we’ll work on those as well, because the process is a little bit more complicated abroad.”
The coronavirus pandemic forced El Al to cancel hundreds of flights as airports around the world increased travel restrictions. Israel severely limited the number of flights in and out of the country and even closed airports completely for several weeks during the winter in an effort to control the spread of the virus.
Due to its enfeebled financial state, El Al has until now been unable to refund the fares paid by thousands of customers. Repaying those debts was its top priority upon receiving financial aid, the airline said.
El Al reached an agreement with the Finance Ministry in March that will allow it to continue operating despite the economic damage sustained during the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of the NIS 685m. aid package, El Al committed to streamline operations by laying off nearly a third of its workforce, raising money through a public equity offering and providing flights for aviation security officers for the next 20 years.
Last week, El Al said it had narrowed its first-quarter loss to $86m., compared with $140m. a year earlier, as it slashed 1,900 jobs.
Earlier this week, El Al chairman David Brodet said he would step down from his position after eight months on the job.
Brodet is credited with helping El Al weather one of the most serious crises in its 73-year history by negotiating the government support and developing a plan to secure financial stability for the future.
Brodet will be replaced next month by deputy chairman Amikam Ben-Zvi, El Al said.