Aug 8, 3:24 PM EDT

Fare mistake creates a run on NY-Israel flights

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NEW YORK (AP) -- A three-hour mistake that drastically lowered round-trip airfare between New York and Israel on El Al Airlines created a run on tickets.

At least 5,000 tickets were purchased Monday after El Al posted fares for less than $400, down from an average of $1,600.

The New York Post says news of the bargain fare quickly spread through New York's Orthodox Jewish communities after a website sent out an alert.

El Al blames the mistake on a contractor responsible for posting fares. It says it will decide this week whether to honor the tickets.

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