The significance of the Consumer Council’s addition is great because it is recognized by the Ministry of Justice as the one authorized to bring the claims of consumers in outrageous consumer injustices before the various commercial entities.
The plaintiff is Ista’s client, Tzila Farber. After purchasing several flight tickets for herself and her partner in two separate bookings, the bookings were canceled due to the Corona crisis. When Farber asked for a refund for the canceled flights, Ista informed her that she would charge her a handling fee of $ 25 for the first booking for a flight that was scheduled to take place in June 2020, and $ 20 for flights that were scheduled to take place in September 2020 and were canceled.
According to Farber in the class action lawsuit, according to the law, she was supposed to receive a refund for the full card, and Ista had no right to charge her a handling fee.
Issta, for its part, claims that out of proper disclosure it is clarified to the consumer in the order form that he will be charged a handling fee. Even if there was no disclosure of the handling fee in the agreement, in light of the Corona crisis the travel agency may charge a reasonable fee for assisting the consumer in receiving a refund from the airline, and those who do not use the agency’s services can contact the airline without needing their service and assistance.