Bad blood

Taylor Swift fans threaten to sue El Al for missing show

Group of Israelis say airline ’caused us great anguish’ with canceled flight, demand compensation for London concert ticket and other expenses

Michael Bachner is a news editor at The Times of Israel

Taylor Swift performs on stage in concert at Wembley Stadium in west London, Friday, June 22, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Taylor Swift performs on stage in concert at Wembley Stadium in west London, Friday, June 22, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Dozens of Israelis have threatened to sue the El Al airline for a canceled flight that caused them to miss a Taylor Swift concert in London.

The fans arrived on June 21 at Ben Gurion Airport, only to be told their flight to the United Kingdom was canceled due to a strike by the Israeli airline’s pilots, who have been protesting their work conditions.

El Al failed to find an alternative flight that would have enabled them to attend the concert, Hadashot reported Tuesday, adding that the company also didn’t reimburse them. They ended up staying in Israel and missing the US singer’s June 22 performance.

Now, some of the Israelis have sent a letter, signed by attorney Ron Solan, demanding NIS 5,844 ($1,600) per person in compensation for the money lost on flights, hotels, concert tickets, and insurance.

An El Al airline plane at Ben Gurion International Airport on August 17, 2016. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

“We waited for this concert a long time,” said one of the fans. “We arranged dates to go on vacation from work and combine this concert with some good time in London.”

“When we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport we were shocked to hear the flight was canceled, just like that, for no reason, without arranging alternative flights,” she added. “They caused us great anguish.”

In the letter, Solan warned he would sue El Al in court if the airline doesn’t comply with the demand.

El Al responded by saying that the letter “has been received and the company’s representatives are in contact with the complainants.”

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