The airline under Lufthansa plans to resume flights to Ben Gurion Airport in September, but faces strong opposition. The Belgian workers’ committee claims that management is trying to impose assignments to a conflict zone contrary to travel warnings and threatens disruptions on the Tel Aviv route.
Lufthansa Group’s plans to return to Israel encounter a significant organizational hurdle. Brussels Airlines, owned by the group, plans to resume its route to Tel Aviv in September. However, the company’s workers’ committee opposes the move and warns that it could lead to disruptions. The opposition arises after it was announced that Lufthansa Group is increasing the number of flights to Israel ahead of the holidays.
Employees Oppose Return to Israel
According to representatives of the workers in Belgium, management seeks to assign crew members to flights to Israel even though the security situation in the area remains concerning. The committee points out that there are travel warnings related to Israel and that employees should not be forced to fly to a destination they perceive as dangerous.
The disagreement is not only about the route’s renewal but also about how flight crews will be assembled. The employees demand that departures to Tel Aviv be on a voluntary basis only, without pressure from management and without professional consequences for those who choose not to be assigned.
Threat of Disruptions on the Tel Aviv Route
The workers’ committee signals that if clear agreements regarding safety and crew assignments are not reached, it may take actions affecting flight operations. This could mean delays, schedule changes, and even cancellations, even if the company officially announces the route’s renewal.
For Israeli passengers, this presents another question mark around the flight schedule to Ben Gurion Airport. Recently, foreign airlines announced their return to Israel, but some have repeatedly changed their plans according to security developments, authorities’ guidelines, and operational considerations.
Part of Lufthansa Group’s Return Plan
Brussels Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group, whose operations to Israel are generally influenced by the group’s broad decisions. The company’s planned return to Ben Gurion Airport is expected to increase the flight offerings between Israel and Belgium and provide onward options to various destinations in Europe and worldwide.
However, now, even before the actual resumption of operations, the dispute with the employees may complicate the implementation of the plan. Even if the management chooses to proceed as planned, it will need to ensure a sufficient number of crew members are willing to operate the route. This comes after the group has already announced a significant expansion of Lufthansa’s activities in Israel in recent months.
What Should You Know Before Booking?
Passengers planning to book a flight with Brussels Airlines or other companies in the Lufthansa Group in the coming months should monitor the flight schedule and company announcements. It is advisable to check the change and cancellation conditions and ensure that the booking includes an appropriate option in case of operational changes.
As of now, the plan to return to Ben Gurion Airport is still on the table, but the threat of disruptions from the workers’ committee makes it less certain. The coming days and discussions between management and employee representatives will determine whether Brussels Airlines will indeed return to Israel as planned. Passengers already planning their next vacation can also track cheap El Al flights up to $300 on the Flight Hunter website.
Photo: Duernsteiner / Pixabay
