Christian trade unions CNE and ACV Puls have filed a strike notice for Ryanair staff operating flights from Charleroi Airport to Amman in Jordan and Tel Aviv in Israel.
Pilots previously flew over Egypt for safety reasons but are now required to fly over Israel to save fuel, which staff consider dangerous. The strike notice is indefinite.
The decision follows failed negotiations with the budget airline to establish a voluntary system for flights to conflict zones. "All European airlines have such a voluntary system except Ryanair, which remains inflexible," said CNE permanent secretary, Didier Lebbe. "This is not about boycotting Israel; it is just common sense. Some staff do not want to fly to conflict zones, and their families are concerned."
Despite months of discussions and a final mediation attempt at the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, the negotiations have failed. "Starting Monday 14 April, staff refusing to operate flights over or to war zones will be fully covered by the right to strike," the two unions announced.
Flights to Amman and Tel Aviv are operated by planes stationed at Charleroi Airport, manned by staff based in Belgium.
