Trade union criticises Brussels Airlines for resuming flights to Israel
After suspending flights to Israel due to the war in Gaza, Brussels Airlines plans to resume services to Tel Aviv from Wednesday. The move has drawn sharp criticism from trade union ACV Puls/CSC CNE, which says the airline is breaking the law by sending staff to the country.
Despite the war in Gaza, Brussels Airlines and its parent company Lufthansa have deemed it safe to fly to Israel again. According to spokesman Nico Cardone, the airline has taken precautions to protect staff: crews will not stay overnight in Tel Aviv, and flights will operate only during daylight hours.
“We understand that people may not feel comfortable,” Cardone said. For the initial flights, the airline is relying on volunteers among staff. Enough have signed up to proceed, he added. Despite Belgium’s negative travel advice for Israel, demand is high—the first flight is already sold out.
Union protest
ACV Puls/CSC CNE, however, condemned the decision on Tuesday. “The company is not complying with legislation by sending staff to war zones,” said union member Jolinde Defieuw.
Defieuw also accused the airline of offering financial incentives to staff who volunteer for the flights. These include guaranteed compensation if a flight is cancelled, and, after three months on the volunteer list, an extra “joker day” that prioritises their leave requests.
“The company is not complying with legislation by sending staff to war zones”
Earlier, ACV Puls/CSC CNE had called on airport staff not to handle flights to Israel. The union pledged to support employees who refuse to take part in what it calls the “normalisation of relations with Israel.” Brussels Airlines said it does not expect any operational issues as a result.
Last week, unions representing baggage handlers at French firm Alyzia called on Brussels Airport to stop serving airlines flying to Israel until the war in Gaza ends. They also demanded that staff be allowed to refuse handling cargo for these flights without facing penalties.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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