Sick of Paying Sky-High? El Al’s Price Gouging May End Soon
El Al staff threaten strike action, from check-in disruptions to a full shutdown, after Transport Minister Miri Regev confirmed plans to allow Wizz Air to open a base in Israel.
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A stormy meeting between El Al’s workers’ committee and Transport Minister Miri Regev collapsed within 10 minutes on Sunday, after she confirmed the government intends to approve a local operations hub for Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air.
Union leaders walked out in protest, warning they are ready to escalate with severe measures including no-shows, delays, and even a nationwide grounding of flights.
For the union, the move threatens “irreparable damage” to Israeli airlines and their employees. But the ministry insists the reform is essential to boost competition and slash ticket costs for consumers.
Regev hit back at the threats: “I’ve always fought for the workers, but the citizens of Israel matter no less. There will be no more price gouging.”
The confrontation raises a key question for Israeli travelers long frustrated by high airfares: could the arrival of Wizz Air, and the government’s determination to break El Al’s grip, finally spell the end of Israel’s notorious price hikes in the skies?