jpost.com
El Al's US Flight Monopoly Persists Despite Delta's Planned Return
El Al maintains a monopoly on direct flights between Israel and the US, controlling 11% of Ben-Gurion Airport's US passenger traffic in November; despite Delta planning to resume flights in April 2025, regulatory hurdles and high Delta fares hinder competition and keep prices elevated.
- What is the immediate impact of El Al's monopoly on direct US flights from Israel?
- El Al Israel Airlines maintains a monopoly on direct flights between Israel and North America, controlling 11% of Ben-Gurion Airport's US passenger traffic in November. Competition is unlikely before April 2025, keeping airfares high. Even with Delta's planned April resumption, their fares often exceed El Al's.
- How do regulatory hurdles and airline decisions affect the potential for increased competition on Israel-US routes?
- The Knesset's delay in amending the Aviation Service Law deters Israir from launching US flights, impacting potential competition and consumer choice. This, coupled with limited connecting flight options due to extended suspensions by Air France, Lufthansa, and ITA, reinforces El Al's dominance. The high cost of Delta tickets further suggests that market demand currently exceeds supply.
- What are the long-term implications of the current situation for airfare pricing and consumer choice on the Israel-US route?
- El Al's near-term monopoly will likely persist, impacting airfare affordability for Israeli-American travelers. The uncertain political climate and regulatory hurdles hinder potential competitors, while Delta's higher fares indicate a potential mismatch between current supply and high demand, which may only improve marginally after Delta's return. The entry of Donald Trump into the White House could be a potential game changer.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the situation as one of potential economic hardship for Israeli airlines, particularly Israir, due to regulatory hurdles and the lack of competition. This framing might evoke sympathy for the airlines, but may also overshadow the potential negative consequences for consumers who face higher airfares and limited choices.
Language Bias
The article uses fairly neutral language, although phrases such as "foot-dragging" (referring to the Knesset) or describing the situation as "making matters worse" carry a slightly negative connotation. However, these are not overtly loaded or biased.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the challenges faced by Israeli airlines in resuming US flights and the resulting impact on airfares, potentially overlooking broader economic or geopolitical factors influencing the situation. It also omits discussion of passenger perspectives and experiences regarding flight cancellations and high fares. The impact of the war on the general travel industry is also not discussed.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by primarily focusing on the limited competition for El Al and the high prices of Delta tickets, implying these are the only significant factors affecting airfares. It overlooks other factors like overall fuel costs, global demand for flights, etc. which also affect prices.