Brussels Airlines Staff Threaten Strike Over Tel Aviv Flights

Brussels Airlines has resumed flights to Tel Aviv, but a dispute over crew assignments has sparked a potential labor action. The Belgian airline union ACV Puls is threatening protests that could disrupt the route between Israel and Belgium.

The conflict arose when Brussels Airlines initially planned to use only volunteer crews for the first phase of flights to Israel. However, the union claims the company has now switched to a standard assignment system, where employees cannot opt out of flying to Tel Aviv. The union argues this constitutes a significant change in the conditions agreed upon for resuming the route.

Workers have expressed concerns about their safety during flights to and from Israel, as well as psychological and ethical reservations about operating the route during the current period. The union's threatened action is specifically targeted at the Tel Aviv route, not the airline's overall operations.

The potential strike comes at a sensitive time for Israeli aviation, as foreign airlines gradually return to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). Any disruption could create uncertainty for passengers who have already booked tickets.

Brussels Airlines disputes the union's safety claims, stating that while volunteer crews were used initially, the successful resumption of operations now allows for a return to normal procedures. The company maintains that the security situation in Israel is being monitored and that safety is its primary concern, with protocols subject to change based on developments. The airline emphasizes that a strike notice has been filed but does not mean all flights are canceled or that a strike has begun. The key issue is whether an agreement can be reached before the protest impacts the flight schedule.

For Israeli passengers, this means closely monitoring company announcements regarding their bookings, as the dispute between staff and management remains unresolved.