Brussels Airlines Staff Threaten Strike Over Flights to Israel

A Belgian trade union, ACV Puls, has issued a preliminary notice of a potential strike protesting Brussels Airlines' decision to resume mandatory assignments for staff on flights to Tel Aviv. The union claims the airline violated a prior agreement that only volunteers would staff these routes following their resumption. Union representative Jolinda Defieu stated that employees are "seriously concerned about the physical safety, as well as the psychological and ethical consequences of these flights." She added that the company is not allowing staff to refuse work on flights to Israel despite the security situation, which the union argues contradicts the employer's duty to protect workers.

The protest also carries a political dimension, with ACV Puls citing the war and "genocide in Gaza" as ethical concerns. The union intends to protect employees who refuse to fly to Israel, which they term a "war zone," and references Belgian Foreign Ministry advisories recommending against non-essential travel due to the unstable security situation.

ACV Puls recalled an incident during a previous attempt by Brussels Airlines to resume flights to Tel Aviv when an Iranian missile landed near Ben Gurion Airport shortly before a flight's scheduled departure. Brussels Airlines responded by stating that safety remains their top priority. The airline resumed flights to Tel Aviv in the summer of 2026, initially using only volunteers. After a successful resumption, the company reverted to its standard crew assignment policy. Brussels Airlines and the Lufthansa Group continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to adjust operations as events unfold.