Brussels Airlines Staff Can Refuse Israel Flights Without Penalty

Brussels Airlines pilots and flight attendants will now be permitted to refuse flights to and from Tel Aviv without facing disciplinary action. This clarification from the company's management followed negotiations with unions after a strike threat, according to Belgian media.

Brussels Airlines resumed flights to Israel in early August. Initially, crews for these flights were volunteers, but later the Tel Aviv route was integrated into the regular work schedule. The Flemish Christian union ACV Puls opposed this change, issuing a strike notice and citing the Belgian Foreign Ministry's continued recommendation against non-essential travel to Israel.

Company representative Nico Cardone explained that staff can utilize the existing aviation procedure for "unfitness to fly" if they are psychologically unprepared for a specific flight. Brussels Airlines assured that invoking this procedure would not result in any sanctions. Flights between Brussels and Tel Aviv are continuing as scheduled.

The union welcomed the management's decision but continues to demand a complete cessation of flights to Israel. ACV Puls representative Jolinde De Fuy stated that the union believes "commercial flights to Tel Aviv should not be operated at all under the current circumstances."