Israeli flights grounded as strike against EU deal continues
Israeli flights grounded as strike against EU deal continues
Thousands of passengers were stranded on Monday as
employees of Israel’s three airlines went on strike for a
second day to protest a government decision lift restrictions
on European airlines under an Open Skies deal.
All flights from Tel Aviv of El Al, Arkia and Israir were
cancelled, a spokeswoman for Ben-Gurion Airport
confirmed.
Israel’s trade unions have threatened to broaden the strike
on Tuesday to a complete shut down of Ben-Gurion Airport,
affecting also incoming flights and foreign airlines. They
say the deal will force Israeli carriers to cut jobs.
The strike began early Sunday after Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet voted to ratify the Open
Skies agreement with the European Union. The
government says the deal would lower prices and boost
tourism to Israel.
Under the deal signed last year, restrictions on European
airlines will be totally lifted by 2017. Restrictions on Israeli
airlines operating flights to Europe will also be removed.
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