Air Europa Staff Demand Voluntary Flights to Israel Amid Safety Concerns

Air Europa's flight attendants are demanding that flights to Israel be made voluntary due to high levels of stress and anxiety, but the airline is reportedly ignoring these requests and continuing to enforce mandatory travel on the Madrid-Tel Aviv route. The Spanish airline maintains that Ben Gurion Airport is not designated as a war zone, thus negating the need for special operational procedures or restrictions for its aircrews. The flight attendants' union, USO, however, warns that the pressure and anxiety associated with flying to Israel could negatively impact operational performance.

Air Europa resumed flights to Israel after Operation "Iron Sword," a move the union argues was too hasty compared to competitors like Iberia Express. The airline currently operates six weekly flights between Madrid and Tel Aviv. This situation highlights the tensions that can arise even as many foreign airlines, such as Delta and United, return to Israel. Similarly, Brussels Airlines, which restarted 10 weekly flights to Tel Aviv, faced threats of a strike from its staff protesting mandatory travel, citing concerns for safety, mental health, and ethics.

Despite the union's persistent efforts, Air Europa appears to be disregarding the crew's pleas, continuing to mandate their service on the route. The union plans to continue advocating for the change, emphasizing the potential operational consequences of the crew's distress.