MKs to fly business class
Members of 18th Knesset get new perk as director-general decides on protocol allowing all MKs to fly business class when traveling abroad on state-related affairs
A new official protocol in Knesset states that all MKs flying abroad on state-related affairs will do so in business class. The decision was made by Knesset Director-General Dan Landau. A veteran MK opposed to the decision told Ynet, "This is an unnecessary waste of the public's money."
A Knesset statement in response to a Ynet query said: "As a rule, according to the Knesset director-general's decision and the protocol set in the 18th Knesset, MKs sent abroad by the Knesset are to fly in business class."
"In the 17th Knesset there were cases in which MKs flew in business class as well as economy class. There was no protocol, and placement was carried out in accordance with the instructions of the former Knesset director-general."
A source from the Knesset said, "It's time to sort out this breached issue with a proper protocol. The bottom line is that even in previous terms, the vast majority of MKs flew in business class to all destinations, each time due to a different 'exception' – age, status, health, etc."
On the other hand, sources that served in the Knesset's administrative body in the past say a protocol had been employed according to which MKs traveling in business class on long flights (for example to the United States), and traveled in economy class on shorter flights, save for certain exceptions.
A senior MK told Ynet, "This is a bad decision. This is a waste of the public's money. At a time when the market is in the midst of an economic crisis and workplaces are tightening their belts, the Knesset upgrades itself and its members." He said Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin should rethink the move.
Another MK defended the decision, saying, "MKs set off on missions that are usually very short, with a very busy schedule, and purchasing business class tickets is a worthy expense in my opinion. These are not pleasure trips, but business trips."
The Knesset further stated: "As a rule, the Knesset has adopted in principle the instructions of the accountant general, which state that director-generals whose flights last over six hours should be placed in business class.
"The Knesset director-general has decided that MKs will be placed in business class in advance, due to the fact that MKs start work immediately upon landing."
The Knesset added that in the matter of any flights under 45 minutes long, each case is examined individually, and that in most cases there is no business class in such flights.
