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FAQ · Cancellation

Flight cancelled: what am I owed?

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When a flight is cancelled, some rights apply almost always (a refund or an alternative flight) and some depend on the notice and the reason (cash compensation). Here's how to tell which apply to you.

In short

  • With any cancellation you get a choice: a refund of the ticket or an alternative ticket.
  • A cancellation announced 14 days or more before the flight gives no cash compensation, but the refund or alternative ticket still applies.
  • With shorter notice, cash compensation by flight distance may apply too. Under Israeli law it also depends on the times of the alternative flight offered.
  • No cash compensation when the airline proves special circumstances outside its control; under Israeli law also a protected strike or a cancellation to avoid flying on Shabbat or a holiday.
  • Payment is in money. A voucher only if you agreed to it explicitly and in writing.
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What you are owed with any cancellation

  • A choice between a refund of the ticket and an alternative ticket.
  • Care while you wait for an alternative flight: food, drinks and means of communication, and accommodation and transport where needed.
  • Under Israeli law: compensation is paid within 45 days of a written request, and a ticket refund within 21 days.

When cash compensation applies too

When the cancellation was announced less than 14 days before the flight. If the alternative flight landed close to the original time (within 2, 3 or 4 hours by distance), the airline may halve the compensation.

Under the EU regulation, when it applies, compensation is EUR 250, 400 or 600 per passenger by distance, unless there were extraordinary circumstances.

Before you accept the airline's offer

  • Don't accept a voucher, a partial refund or a waiver before you know what you are owed.
  • Keep the cancellation notice with the date you received it. The notice date decides whether compensation applies.
  • Keep the details of the alternative flight offered and receipts for every expense.

What the law gives you: a rights summary

Israeli Aviation Services Law

Applies to every flight departing from or landing in Israel, on any airline.

Cash compensation per passenger by flight distance (2026 amounts, updated every January)
up to 2,000 km1,530 ₪
2,000–4,500 km2,450 ₪
over 4,500 km3,670 ₪
  • Departure delayed 2 hours or more: food, drinks and means of communication.
  • Delayed 5 to 8 hours: a refund or an alternative ticket, your choice.
  • Taking off 8 hours or more late counts as a cancellation: cash compensation per the table, plus a refund or an alternative ticket.
  • A cancellation announced 14 days or more ahead: no cash compensation, but a refund or alternative ticket. With shorter notice, compensation depends on the times of the alternative flight.
  • If the alternative flight landed close to the original time (within 2, 3 or 4 hours by distance), the airline may halve the compensation.
  • No cash compensation if the airline proves special circumstances outside its control that it could not prevent, a protected strike, or a cancellation to avoid flying on Shabbat or a holiday.
  • Compensation is due within 45 days of your written request, a ticket refund within 21 days. Payment is in money; a voucher only if you agreed explicitly and in writing.
  • You can claim up to 4 years after the event. During a declared "special situation" the minister may change some of these rights by order.

Domestic flights (for example to Eilat) have separate regulations: a flight counts as cancelled if it did not operate or took off 3 hours or more late, and compensation on the Tel Aviv or Haifa–Eilat line is 300 ILS (2026).

EU Regulation 261/2004

Applies to a flight departing from an EU airport (any airline), and to a flight into the EU on an EU-licensed airline.

Compensation per passenger by distance
up to 1,500 km€250
1,500–3,500 km (or within the EU over 1,500)€400
over 3,500 km€600
  • Arriving at the final destination 3 hours or more late entitles you to compensation, like a cancellation (CJEU, Sturgeon).
  • On flights over 3,500 km delayed 3 to 4 hours, compensation can be halved (€300).
  • No compensation for extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided with all reasonable measures.
  • One compensation per event: if you were compensated under a foreign law, you do not get the same kind of benefit again under the Israeli law.
  • An amendment signed in 2026 (Regulation 2026/2202) applies from 23.10.2027: the amounts stay the same, and from then claims must be filed within 9 months of the flight.

Sources (checked 01.11.2026): Aviation Services Law (Nevo) · Official Gazette 14222: 2026 amounts · Domestic flight regulations (Nevo) · Regulation 261/2004 (EUR-Lex) · Regulation 2026/2202 (EUR-Lex)

How EasyClaim helps, step by step

  1. Enter the flight number and dateIn the eligibility check on the site. If you don't remember the number, search by route and date.
  2. Get a first assessmentBased on the route, the operating airline and what happened: which law may apply and what you may be owed.
  3. Prepare a tidy requestEasyClaim drafts a personal letter with your flight details, and you can keep your documents in your account.
  4. Submit it yourselfYou send the request to the airline through its official channel and keep the confirmation. We do not contact the airline on your behalf.

Questions and answers

My flight was cancelled. What am I owed?

With any cancellation: a choice between a refund and an alternative ticket, and care while you wait. If the notice came less than 14 days before the flight, cash compensation by flight distance may apply too.

I was told about the cancellation a month ahead. Am I owed compensation?

Not cash compensation, because the notice was 14 days or more ahead. A full refund or an alternative ticket is still yours.

The airline offers a voucher instead of money. Do I have to accept?

No. Under both Israeli law and the EU regulation payment is in money, and a voucher only if you agreed explicitly and in writing.

The flight was cancelled because of a strike or the security situation. What now?

Circumstances outside the airline's control may exempt it from cash compensation, and under Israeli law so may a protected strike. During a declared special situation the minister may change some rights by order. The refund or alternative ticket still applies, so check your specific case.

How soon must the airline pay?

Under Israeli law: compensation within 45 days of a written request, and a ticket refund within 21 days. The EU regulation sets no fixed payment deadline.

What does EasyClaim cost?

The service is at no cost. No commission and no commitment. You submit the request yourself, and any compensation is yours.

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A flight number and date are enough for a first assessment, at no cost.

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General information, not legal advice. Eligibility depends on the facts of the case and the applicable law. EasyClaim is not a law firm and does not represent passengers.