Israir is making compensatory payment to a rav and his wife who booked their tickets with the airline from Tel Aviv to America and back. On their return trip, they were told their names did not appear on the list of passengers for glatt meals and as such, they had nothing to eat.

The couple explained that the rebbitzin was in a weakened state as a result of not eating on the flight home, stating this was the cause of her fainting as they made their way down the steps upon returning to Eretz Yisrael. The rebbitzin sustained bruises from the fall, her head covering came off and her dress was in a “compromising position” as a result, all leaving her and the rav embarrassed and pained from the entire ordeal. The couple demanded compensation from Israir in the amount of NIS 17,800.

The airline in its response stated that fall and the subsequent embarrassment and injuries did not occur on the flight, and therefore, the airline is not responsible. In addition, even if the couple ordered glatt meals, the airline states it is not compelled to serve that type of meal to passengers.

Rechovot Small Claims Court Justice Gideon Barak stated the airline failed to prove that its contract states that even if passengers order glatt meals the airline is not compelled to provide them. The court also rejected the airline’s claim that the couple could have selected certain items from the regular meals, adding the airline does not have the right to act unilaterally and change glatt meals for regular kosher served on the flight or decide the level of kashrut of passengers.

The court stated the airline was responsible to ensure there were enough glatt meals as to avoid putting the couple in the dilemma, to decide not to eat or possibly to eat ‘acceptable items’ from the regular kosher meals.

The fall was directly related to the flight Justice Barak stated, and therefore, the airline is indeed responsible.

The court ruled the plaintiffs will receive NIS 3000 plus legal fees of NIS 800.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)