Brussels Airlines pilots and cabin crew who do not feel psychologically able to operate services to Tel Aviv may invoke the airline’s existing “unfit to fly” procedure without facing repercussions.
Management confirmed the arrangement during talks with trade unions on Thursday. Flights to Israel are now included in regular crew rosters rather than being assigned exclusively to volunteers, a change criticised by Christian union ACV Puls.
The union maintains that the security situation does not justify a full return to normal rostering, noting that the Belgian government continues to advise against non-essential travel to Israel.
Brussels Airlines said it had listened to employees’ safety concerns and explained the procedures available to them. However, the airline has not reinstated the previous volunteer-only system.
Services between Brussels and Tel Aviv resumed several weeks ago, and at least one flight operated on Thursday.