Gonen Usishkin, the former CEO of Israel's national airline El Al, has denied allegations of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The accusations, reported by Israeli media outlets including Haaretz and The Times of Israel, stem from a period in 2020 when the airline operated limited "rescue flights" for citizens stranded abroad.
Usishkin, who served as CEO from 2018 to 2022, reportedly stated that ticket prices were set based on operational costs and demand, not to exploit passengers. The flights occurred during a global travel shutdown when operating costs for airlines were exceptionally high due to complex logistics and low occupancy mandates.
The context involves a 2022 class-action lawsuit filed against El Al by passengers who claimed they were charged exorbitant prices for these essential flights. The airline has previously defended its pricing, citing the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic.
As of April 2026, the legal proceedings regarding the lawsuit are a matter of public record, though specific recent developments could not be independently verified at this time. The story highlights ongoing debates about corporate ethics during global emergencies.
