Israeli airlines have gone out on strike in line with the threat announced by El Al, Arkia and IsrAir officials last week. This strike surrounds protests against the government’s Open Skies program. As a result of the strike that began Sunday morning 11 Iyar 5773, the airlines contacted passengers scheduled to leave on flights later in the morning, preempting the flights to permit them to set out for their destinations. Between 04:00 and 06:00 Sunday morning, 4,500 passengers were flown out of Ben-Gurion International Airport on one of 28 flights of the Israeli carriers.

The cabinet on Sunday approved the Open Skies program, which will permit the entry of additional carriers and flights from Europe, which the Israeli companies feel will deliver a major blow to them. In line with the plan, airlines will be permitted to increase flights to and from Tel Aviv, a plan designed to increase competition towards lowering prices and improving service for travelers. The plan however is being opposed by the Israeli carriers. Labor representative Avi Edri announced he and his colleagues are not opposed to the plan or efforts to improve service, but not the way the current plan seeks to accomplish these goals. He feels the plan as it is today fails to take measures to protect the Israeli carriers and implementing the current version will deliver a “fatal blow” to the Israeli companies.

Histadrut national labor federation leader Ofir Eini during the night sent an urgent letter to the prime minister seeking to persuade him not to move ahead with the current planned Open Skies program.

Employees of the striking companies on Sunday morning traveled to Yerushalayim to hold a protest while the cabinet was convening in its weekly session to protest the expected passing of the plan. The protest became stormy as the participants confronted police in efforts to block the road. At least eight protestors were arrested.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)