Air Europa Crew Demand Voluntary Flights to Israel Amid Safety Concerns

Air Europa flight crews are demanding the right to voluntarily opt out of flights to Tel Aviv, but the airline's management is refusing to change its policy. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the European aviation sector regarding flights to Israel. The conflict centers on Air Europa's decision to fully resume its popular Madrid-Tel Aviv route, which had been suspended on February 28 following an escalation with Iran. Although flights resumed in late June 2026, the volatile situation in the Middle East persists.

Air Europa employees have requested the reinstatement of a previous voluntary system that allowed crew members to decline flights to Israel without repercussions. However, the company's management argues that no special restrictions are necessary, citing that Ben Gurion Airport is not officially designated as a combat zone. Consequently, the airline does not intend to implement a special procedure for staff unwilling to fly to Tel Aviv.

The Spanish USO union continues to advocate for the crew's position, warning that the company's rigid approach could increase anxiety and psychological pressure on flight personnel, potentially impacting flight safety. Air Europa was among the first European carriers to restart flights to Israel after a four-month hiatus and increased its weekly Madrid-Tel Aviv flights from four to six in August 2026, while competitors like Iberia Express maintained their suspensions.

Crew members have also sought more detailed information and security guarantees, with concerns amplified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) expanded recommendations for flights in Middle Eastern airspace due to regional tensions. A similar conflict is occurring at Brussels Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, where staff protested mandatory flights to Israel starting September 2, 2026, after the company shifted from using volunteers to requiring all personnel to operate these routes. The union cited safety, psychological well-being, and ethical considerations, including Israel's military actions in Gaza, as reasons for their protest and urged the Belgian government to clarify its stance.