Brussels Airlines faces strike over forced flights to 'Israel'

• Brussels Airlines operates the route despite crew opposition.
• ACV Puls accuses management of violating crew agreements.
• Cabin crew cite war-zone risks and ethical objections.
• Airline says standard crew scheduling has resumed.

A Brussels Airlines flight bound for Tel Aviv departed from Brussels Airport as scheduled Wednesday morning, despite an escalating labor dispute with Belgian trade union ACV Puls over compulsory crew assignments to 'Israel'.

The departure follows a formal strike notice filed by ACV Puls on Tuesday.

Union representatives alleged that several flight attendants were coerced into operating the Wednesday route under threat of administrative sanctions from airline management.

"We have information that there are people carrying out the flight against their will, but they didn't dare refuse because management would sanction it," said Jolinde Defieuw, a spokesperson for ACV Puls. "The employer has pulled out all the stops."

Strike legality

When Brussels Airlines initially resumed service to Tel Aviv earlier this summer, operations relied on volunteer cabin crew and management personnel with flight qualifications.

However, starting in September, management transitioned the route back into normal, mandatory work schedules alongside all other international destinations.

ACV Puls argues this shift violates clear operational agreements.

The union maintains that employees should retain the right to refuse Tel Aviv pairings due to ongoing security risks and psychological concerns, citing Belgian Foreign Ministry guidance that continues to advise against non-essential travel to 'Israel'.

Brussels Airlines management rejected the union's claims, asserting that employees were notified weeks in advance of the transition back to standard rostering.

The carrier also questioned the procedural validity of the strike notice, arguing proper notice protocols were not satisfied.

ACV Puls dismissed management's procedural objections, stating that the action represents protected industrial self-defense rather than an unauthorized walkout.

Both parties are set to meet Thursday morning to negotiate a resolution to the scheduling stalemate.