El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) has ended its policy of carrying passengers' bicycles for free on international flights, and is now charging $210 each way.
The old regulations on El Al's website including the tempting offer for die-hard cyclists, allowing free transport of bicycles up to 20 kilograms are discontinued. The new regulations for sports equipment state, "From 15-50 kilos and/or with dimensions of 141-277cm - a fee of $210 will be charged for the equipment. Regarding larger sports equipment or other equipment, please contact EL AL Cargo in advance." Sports equipment is defined as bicycles, diving equipment, kayak surfing, canoe and paragliding. Ski equipment is listed separately.
El Al's announcement has launched a Facebook protest page called "Cyclists seeking an alternative to El Al". The page has hundreds of likes and outraged comments.
El Al said in response, "To encourage bicycle tourism to and from Israel, El Al is one of the few airlines in the world that offered a major benefit, in that it did not charge passengers money for taking their bicycles abroad. The sharp rise in global fuel prices has forced the company to begin charging payment for carrying bicycles. The price that El Al charges is similar to the prevailing prices charged by other airlines."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 26, 2012
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