Brussels Airlines Crew Can Refuse Tel Aviv Flights
Brussels Airlines pilots and cabin crew will not be required to fly to and from Tel Aviv, following consultations between the airline’s management and trade unions on September 3. The agreement resolves a labor dispute that erupted after the carrier moved from volunteer-only staffing to regular crew rostering for its Israeli route, according to VRT NWS.
Background of the Dispute
Brussels Airlines resumed flights between Brussels and Tel Aviv on August 5, operating once weekly with volunteer crew members who opted into the assignments. The airline had planned to transition to standard crew scheduling starting in September, citing the successful resumption of summer operations.
The Christian trade union ACV Puls objected to the change, filing a strike notice effective September 1. The union argued that the airline was breaking earlier agreements that had guaranteed volunteer-only staffing for the route, as BRUZZ reported.
“Serious concerns exist among staff regarding both physical safety and the mental and ethical impact of these flights,” said Jolinde Defieuw of ACV Puls in a statement. The union also pointed to Belgium’s Foreign Affairs ministry advisory, which continues to recommend against all non-essential travel to Israel and Jerusalem.
Flights Continue Amid Tensions
Despite the strike notice, a flight to Tel Aviv departed on September 2 as scheduled. ACV Puls claimed that some crew members operated the flight against their will, alleging they feared management sanctions if they refused. “We have information that there are people operating the flight against their will, but they didn’t dare refuse because management would sanction them,” Defieuw told BRUZZ.
Brussels Airlines defended its position, stating that safety remains its highest priority. The airline noted that Lufthansa Group carriers had operated Tel Aviv flights throughout the summer without incident, and that returning to standard procedures was appropriate once operations had stabilized.
Resolution Through Consultation
On September 3, management and union representatives met to address the concerns. Brussels Airlines spokesperson Nico Cardone confirmed that while flights are now part of regular crew rostering, the existing “unfit to fly” procedure remains available to any crew member who feels psychologically unable to operate a flight.
“We took the time to listen to and respond to all concerns about the safety of our operations to Tel Aviv,” Cardone said. “We emphasized that our colleagues can use that procedure as always without having to fear repercussions,” as reported by HLN.
The “unfit to fly” procedure is an established aviation industry mechanism that permits crew members to decline a flight when they feel physically or psychologically unable to perform their duties.
ACV Puls expressed satisfaction with the guarantees. “These guarantees are important for the staff and prove once again that together you are stronger,” Defieuw said. However, the union remains critical of the Belgian government’s position, arguing that no commercial flights to Tel Aviv should operate under current circumstances, as Middle East Monitor noted.
Broader Context
The dispute is the latest chapter in Brussels Airlines’ turbulent history with its Tel Aviv route since October 2023. The airline has repeatedly suspended and restarted operations based on security assessments, with the Middle East experiencing significant aviation disruption throughout 2026, including conflict over the Strait of Hormuz in February and Iranian missile attacks that damaged aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport in March.
The dispute is narrowly focused on the Tel Aviv route and does not affect the rest of Brussels Airlines’ network. The airline continues to operate its weekly Brussels-Tel Aviv service, with another flight departing on September 3 following the consultation.
What to Watch
The agreement provides a framework for crew members to decline Tel Aviv assignments without fear of repercussions, but underlying tensions remain. ACV Puls continues to argue that the Belgian government should take a stronger stance on commercial flights to conflict zones, while Brussels Airlines maintains that its security assessments support continued operations.
As FlyMag observed, the outcome will matter beyond the small number of weekly rotations involved. If the union secures a continuing right to decline Tel Aviv trips, Brussels Airlines may need to treat the route as a permanent special operation rather than another line in the monthly roster. The airline and Lufthansa Group say they will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground and can adjust procedures at any time if necessary.