The issue of free airline tickets for privileged persons was raised in the Knesset today. Likud MK Gideon Patt questioned Transport Minister Gad Yaacobi about an allegation by Haaretz reporter Yair Kotler that the national airline, El Al, gave out 5000 free tickets annually to persons with “protektzia” (political pull). Patt demanded a list of all MKs, government ministers and senior officials who have received free transportation.
An El Al spokesman said today that the 5000 figure was “a gross exaggeration.” Yesterday, a spokesman for the Transport Ministry acknowledged that El Al had issued free tickets to 3305 persons last year at the government’s request, but denied that government employes were abusing their privilege of free air transportation.
The spokesman said the requests were recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IA TA) and noted that all governments frequently made such requests of their national carriers. He said that unlike the situation in many other countries, all requests for free airline tickets in Israel were subject to scrutiny by the State Comptroller.
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