Jerusalem, Israel - Most of the world's airlines worry about issues like airport security, fuel prices and growing competition from budget carriers. Israel's El Al has another concern on its mind.
For the past week, El Al has been locked in a dispute with the country's powerful ultra-Orthodox community. The religious group is upset because the airline has recently flown several flights on the Sabbath -- the Jewish holy day.
Such is the anger among the community, who account for between 20 and 30 percent of El Al's passengers, that they are threatening to boycott the airline unless it makes a written commitment never to fly on the Sabbath again.
Such a commitment would effectively make the airline beholden to Halacha -- a strict code of Jewish law.
El Al's chief executive has promised in private meetings with Orthodox leaders never again to desecrate the Sabbath, which runs from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. But it is not clear if the airline would be willing to sign a legally binding religious document.
Problems for El Al began last week when, struggling to catch up with lost flights after a strike by Israeli airport staff, the airline flew several times late on Friday.
When the transgression was reported, Orthodox leaders say El Al failed to issue a full apology.
Since then, El Al said in a statement: "El Al does not fly in principle on Shabbat (the Sabbath) but there have been instances that it is forced to move passengers and has done so."
So far travel agents say a limited number of ultra-Orthodox have cancelled reservations, but if the disagreement persists, more may do so.
IN-FLIGHT RELIGION
Israeli media reported that a deal resolving the issue could be struck soon, with El Al making a written commitment.
The loss of up to 30 percent of its business would be an economic blow to recently privatised El Al, which has done much to court the religious community.
Orthodox passengers receive in-flight meals that meet their strict requirements, they also get seats far from potentially corrupting video screens and can listen to religious readings on the audio channel, according to the Jerusalem Post.
There is also the expectation that flights on Friday will land well before the Sabbath begins, and that air hostesses will not step in to break up any informal prayer gatherings.
In return for those accommodations, El Al has won loyal business from the community on its flights to London, New York and Brussels, helping it keep ahead of increasing competition from the likes of Continental and an Israeli competitor, Israir.
If El Al makes what would be regarded as a concession, it would be the latest example of the ultra-Orthodox community, which makes up about 7 percent of Israel's population, exercising a powerful influence on the country.
The national bus service already runs segregated buses for the ultra-Orthodox -- with women sitting at the back and men at the front -- on several lines in and around Jerusalem.