Originally Posted by
mikebg
What too many people fail to understand is that it is NOT a "totally stupid business decision" at all, but a very sound one. If they flew on Shabbat they would instantly lose one of their biggest money making markets. NO chareidim would fly with them any more. NONE. They would ALL move to other (non-Jewish owned) airlines where there is no religious reason for them to keep Shabbat. They are not stupid at all. They have done their homewoirk and concluded that they would lose more money that way than by not flying on Shabbat.
That was true 20/30 yrs ago. Things evolve though. I envision in today's market that if El Al started flying on Shabbos,
the Haredi would huff and puff, and then click purchase on El Al 5 min later; In reality they don't actually want to fly another carrier if given the choice.
(All this is moot until the carrier starts flying again, but I'd really love to see them try this for a season or two and settle it once and for all, instead of all the internet bluster back and forth....)