El Al Israel Airlines to Face Hefty Fine of $39 Million for Price Gouging During Conflict

On February 8th , the Israel Competition Authority announced its intention to impose a fine of 121 million shekels (approximately $39 million) on El Al Airlines, the maximum penalty allowed under the law.

The penalty is based on the airline’s setting of "excessively high and unfair" ticket prices during the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which directly violated consumer interests by exploiting the special circumstances. This case represents a stringent enforcement action by Israel’s antitrust regulator against market misconduct during a crisis, underscoring strict oversight over price regulation in the public travel sector.