Brussels Airlines crew threatens strike over mandatory Tel Aviv flights

The Belgian trade union ACV Puls has issued a strike notice against Brussels Airlines, effective September 1, protesting the airline's decision to make flights to Tel Aviv mandatory for crew members.

Previously, the airline had agreed to staff the reactivated Tel Aviv route exclusively with volunteers. However, following a summer trial period, Brussels Airlines management decided to reintegrate these flights into regular, mandatory crew schedules. The airline maintains that the resumption of service is safe and that it will continue to monitor the situation on the ground alongside the Lufthansa Group.

ACV Puls argues that mandatory deployment violates prior agreements and fails to protect employees from physical, psychological, and ethical risks. The union cited the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' advice against non-essential travel to Israel as a key concern. Union representatives stated that a lack of volunteers does not justify forcing staff to fly to a “war zone.” Any planned industrial action will be limited strictly to flights originating from or destined for Tel Aviv.