El Al airline passengers in Bangkok, Thailand were ordered off the plane due to the company's commitment not to desecrate the Sabbath. The 120 passengers, some of whom already were on the plane, were told that mechanical problems would prevent the flight taking off to Tel Aviv as scheduled. The flight crew contacted El-Al's CEO, Haim Romano, who decided to postpone the flight until after the Sabbath's end. Passengers were accommodated in Bangkok hotels. Religious passengers were booked at hotels within walking distance of Bangkok's Chabad House, where they held prayer services and ate Sabbath meals.

El Al noted that its decision cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, El Al remains committed to Sabbath observance. After its receiving information that there would be a doubt of Sabbath desecration, El Al's CEO decided to cancel the flight.