Court Awards Fraction of Claim in Dubai Flight Case

An Israeli couple found themselves stranded in Dubai for ten days after their return flight was abruptly canceled on March 2, 2026, as part of Operation Lion's Roar, a military operation that led to the complete closure of Israeli airspace. What began as a vacation turned into an extended ordeal, with mounting expenses for accommodation, meals, and transportation that ultimately led the couple to sue El Al for 37,700 shekels in the Bat Yam Small Claims Court.

The couple's lawsuit sought compensation for the substantial costs they incurred while stuck abroad. They also requested separate damages for lost income, the husband works as a self-employed plumber, as well as compensation for emotional distress and punitive damages.

El Al argued that the flight cancellation was entirely beyond its control. The airline maintained that the cancellation resulted from extreme security circumstances imposed by the complete closure of Israeli airspace following the outbreak of hostilities. According to the company, it made every effort to return Israelis home under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

The airline also noted that the couple had already received a full refund for their tickets and seat reservations. Furthermore, El Al argued that under aviation law, the airline's obligation to provide accommodation services in extreme circumstances is limited to just two nights—not the full ten days the couple spent in Dubai.

The court reviewed the receipts submitted by the couple, dismissing expenses it deemed unrelated to the flight disruption, such as hairdressing and clothing purchases. However, it did examine accommodation, food, and transportation costs in accordance with aviation services law. Judge Shar Sander Mekubar determined that given the exceptional security situation and the circumstances imposed on the airline, entitlement to accommodation services was limited to two nights only.

In the end, El Al was ordered to pay the couple a total of 5,677 shekels for hotel, food, and transportation expenses, plus approximately 900 shekels in legal costs. All other components of the lawsuit were dismissed, leaving the couple with less than a quarter of what they had sought.