Brussels Airlines has reached an agreement with employee representatives allowing pilots and other crew members to decline assignments on flights to and from Israel if they do not feel fit to operate them, without facing disciplinary action or professional consequences.

The agreement follows growing tensions between the airline and employees over the resumption of regular service to Tel Aviv. Brussels Airlines initially resumed its Israel route in early August using crew members who volunteered for the flights, but later moved the route back into its regular flight schedule.

That decision sparked opposition from the Flemish Christian trade union ACV Puls, which threatened strike action last week. The union questioned whether the security situation in Israel currently allows commercial flights to operate routinely and pointed to Belgian government travel guidance advising against nonessential travel to Israel.

Following talks between airline management and employee representatives over the weekend, Brussels Airlines clarified that crew members can use the aviation industry’s existing “unfit to fly” procedure if they believe they are physically or mentally unable to operate a particular flight. The airline said employees using the procedure over concerns about Israel flights will not face disciplinary or professional repercussions.

Brussels Airlines spokesman Nico Cardone said the company had taken time to examine employees’ concerns surrounding flights to Tel Aviv and emphasized that aviation procedures already allow crew members to declare themselves unfit when their physical or mental condition prevents them from flying.

Despite the dispute, Brussels Airlines is continuing to operate its Tel Aviv route as part of its regular schedule, with flights continuing during negotiations between management and the union.

ACV Puls welcomed the assurances provided by the airline, saying employees must be able to perform their jobs under safe and responsible conditions. However, the union said its broader opposition to routine commercial flights to Israel under the current circumstances remains unchanged.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)