Belgium’s flag carrier is set to restart service to Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday, but unions representing its baggage handlers are demanding that staff be released from the assignment “for moral reasons.”
Meanwhile, French baggage handling company Alyzia has announced it will not work with El Al or any other Israeli airline. Alyzia, which specializes in ground services at airports and handles luggage and cargo for Brussels Airlines, made its stance clear in a letter to management. “Sometimes you just can’t find the words to describe this madness,” union representatives wrote.
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The unions are demanding that Alyzia employees be allowed to decide for themselves whether to handle baggage and cargo for flights to and from Israel. “As a union, we will support these people. If there is any obligation, we will consider taking action,” a union representative said.
Brussels Airlines, for its part, stated that flights to Israel will be staffed only by crew members who volunteer for those specific assignments.
The Belgian airline is part of Germany’s Lufthansa Group, which is gradually restoring service to Ben-Gurion Airport.