Airlines reduce flights to Israel: Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Portuguese TAP

Airlines continue to reduce flights to Israel as the list of red countries grows. At the same time, the aircrews landing at Ben Gurion Airport are now required to perform PCR tests at the entrance to Israel - unlike most countries. This is in addition to the isolation they are required to perform.
After British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and the Portuguese TAP announced the suspension of their flights to Israel, they are also joined by Air Canada, which is delaying its flights on the Tel Aviv-Toronto route until March.
 The company hopes that it can bring forward the return of flights in accordance with the policy of the Ministry of Health. Canada, along with the US, is now defined as a red state to which flight is prohibited except with the approval of an Exceptions Committee. Other countries on the list include the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the UAE, and more.
At the same time, passenger traffic is declining. Today (Wednesday) about 19,000 passengers passed through Ben Gurion Airport on 171 international flights. About a week ago, the daily number of passengers was about 35,000 and the number of international flights was about 270. Today, for example, an Israir flight to Dubai took off with only one passenger and an El Al flight to Paris left this morning almost completely empty.
It should be noted that the consideration of making empty flights was made both for the purpose of flying cargo in the belly of the aircraft and to shrink slightly the monetary damages, and secondly for considerations of ticket refunds to customers; According to the Aviation Act, if the airline cancels a scheduled flight, it must return money to the passengers. While if the passenger cancels - he is the one who will absorb the cancellation costs according to the terms of the ticket, even if the reason for the cancellation is the inability to fly according to state procedures.
Meanwhile, as mentioned, the Israeli and foreign companies are facing a new directive according to which aircrews landing from red countries are required to perform a PCR test after landing in Israel, similar to passengers.
The IATA organization explains that this is an exceptional policy in the world. Kobi Sussman, CEO of YATA Israel, states, "We want the state to understand that the airlines are working vigorously to ensure that their crews undergo frequent inspections as part of company procedures to maintain crew health. Like other countries "The State of Israel must recognize the existing strictness among the companies so that, for example, an antigen test performed before takeoff can provide a good indication to the companies."
Meanwhile, Israeli airlines are waiting for the aid scheme and they are reducing their activities. Arkia has informed about half of the company's employees, including pilots, air crews and ground crews, that it is forced to take them to the IDF. In a letter received by the company's pilots, for example, they announce a significant reduction in the flight schedule. From January 1, 2022. The pilots are joined by additional workers, including technicians, ground crews and more.
Arkia, which has about 350 employees, argues that outsourcing workers is inevitable when they have to adjust their working hours to the hours of operation that have dropped dramatically on international flights. The company's headquarters, including management, are transferred to work three days a week.
As far as the employees are concerned, the announcement of going on forced leave is equivalent to dismissal. This is because unlike the previous rounds, in which the workers were already expelled to the IDF, the model that was valid throughout the plague days and entitled the workers to unemployment benefits from the state was discontinued and therefore workers going on forced leave will do so at the expense of their leave without assistance "For us, it's a dismissal law because we can not be left without income," says a company employee. "Many of us have already left and this dropout will continue. We, Arkia employees who have stood by the company throughout this difficult period, are now forced to recalculate a path and find work, just as Finance Minister Lieberman said. "
Among the companies and especially among the workers, it is hoped that an outline will be formulated with the Ministry of Finance that will support Chalet for those involved in the industry. The branch.
Recall that Arkia is trying to promote a merger between the companies together with El Al. However, in order for this merger to mature, the approval of the company's employees unionized in TOTA will be required. Arkia employees hold 30% of the companies' ownership - the rest are owned by the Nakash brothers. In a merger that endangers the employment of many workers in Arkia.