Israelis rescued from Dubai fume: Flew without luggage - and paid for it

Passengers returning to Israel on Arkia's rescue flights from Dubai discovered they were charged hundreds of dollars for baggage, even though the luggage was flown separately at state expense. The passengers claim the company exploited the situation and charged an unnecessary fee, while at Israir the payment option was blocked. Arkia refuses to credit the customers, arguing the fee was meant to cover the costs of transporting the luggage home.

Israeli passengers who returned to Israel on Arkia's rescue flights from Dubai are furious after discovering they were charged hundreds of dollars for baggage, even though the luggage was flown separately on cargo planes at state expense. According to instructions from the authorities in the Emirates, passengers' luggage on rescue flights was flown to Israel on separate cargo planes funded and under the responsibility of the state. Arkia claims the fee was charged for handling the luggage upon its arrival in Israel, including unloading, sorting, transportation, and delivery to the customer's home. The passengers reject these claims: "No one asked for home delivery, I would have come to pick up the luggage myself and saved hundreds of dollars." At Israir, by contrast, the option to add a baggage payment was blocked on the website, and passengers receive a notification when their luggage arrives. Many passengers are organizing against Arkia and demanding refunds. Shahar, who returned on one of the rescue flights, paid 660 shekels for five suitcases and a trolley: "When I contacted Arkia, the service representative told me: 'No refund, have a nice flight.'" Vadim added: "This is income that grew for Arkia by exploiting the situation and the passengers' fear - a classic scam." Arkia responded: "The costs of flying the luggage to Israel are funded by the state. Upon the luggage's arrival in Israel, Arkia bears full responsibility for further handling. If the state also bears the costs of handling and transporting the luggage to the passengers' homes, Arkia will refund the amounts charged to customers."