Overview
- The Israel Competition Authority announced its intent to declare El Al a monopoly for inbound and outbound flights during Oct. 7, 2023–May 2024 and to levy the maximum statutory fine of NIS 121 million.
- Regulators said El Al’s market share rose from about 20% before Oct. 7 to over 70% within days, remaining above 50% in the first months of the war.
- The authority reported average ticket prices increased roughly 16% in the period, with route-level hikes ranging from 6% to 31%, which it deemed excessive and unfair.
- Officials linked the market shift and pricing to the suspension of many foreign carriers’ service following the Hamas attack.
- El Al rejected the findings as flawed and unprecedented and said it will contest the conclusions at the hearing before any decision is finalized.