Flight over Israel: “European authorities are finally waking up, pilots are under pressure to fly to the region”

Belgian Ryanair staff refuse to resume flights to Israel: “The company is playing with our lives to make money”

The recommendation is a major first for the agency which had been very withdrawn since the start of the conflict in the region almost a year ago. “European authorities had not issued any recommendations, limiting themselves to asking pilots flying over the region to make reports.explains Alain Vanalderweireldt, president of the Belgian pilots’ association (Beca). This lack of directive from EASA was a godsend for some airlines wishing to continue serving the region. Fares to reach Israel or Lebanon from Europe have exploded, both for passengers and cargo. “Some carriers put very strong pressure on their pilots, sometimes bordering on job blackmail, to fly to these countries or even overfly them.continues Alain Vanalderweireldt. The interest was sometimes also political: Israel depends enormously on its airports for its logistics and its allies do not want to “abandon” the country.

“This note is heavy”

Until now, the EASA estimated that the Hebrew country had sufficient control of its skies, despite the numerous threats. The situation changed suddenly this weekend. “This note is heavycontinues the president of Beca. The European authorities are finally waking up, but the awakening is brutal. The agency must have new information, which we do not have, to issue such an opinion.”

Note that Europe remains in the register of the recommendation and not the flight ban; as is the case, for example, for American companies in an area above Iran and Iraq. With supporting fines in the latter case. Air Canada has just received a fine of $250,000 from the United States Department of Transportation for having carried out flights in Iraqi airspace, while it was operating code-share flights with the American United Airlines.

Here is the “secret” of Israeli company planes to protect themselves from certain missiles

But a recommendation remains dissuasive for airlines, in particular by inflating insurance prices on the flights concerned. In terms of passenger flights, no European company currently risks reaching Lebanon or Israel. The question not being “not yet completely decided” with some EU cargo carriers. Finally, remember that Israeli airlines, which have planes that can decoy certain missiles, continue their activities in the country. “They are used to these conditions. Most of the pilots are ex-military”conclut Alain Vanalderweireldt.