Histadrut warns: Aviation workers will not stand by as their jobs are put at risk

Ahead of Transport Minister’s meeting with Wizz Air CEO: Histadrut demands protection for Israeli aviation jobs

The Histadrut strongly opposes steps that, according to media reports, the Ministry of Transport is advancing to grant preferential competitive conditions to a foreign airline at the expense of Israeli carriers. Such measures, if implemented, will severely undermine the stability of Israel’s aviation by stripping Israeli workers of their livelihoods.

This morning, Attorney Eyal Yadin, Chairperson of the Histadrut Union of Transport Workers, sent a letter to the Minister of Transport, MK Miri Regev, in protest of the intentions of the ministry to offer incentives and competitive advantages to foreign flight companies, as advertised in the media.

According to reports in the economic press, the Ministry intends to meet with the CEO of the foreign airline Wizz Air to offer incentives and competitive advantages aimed at relocating its operations to Israel. This approach disregards the grave consequences already presented to the Ministry: the financial resilience of Israeli airlines will be compromised, and the livelihoods of their employees will be placed at risk. While Wizz Air may open an office in Israel, the jobs for pilots, flight attendants, aircraft maintenance, and other essential roles may still be based overseas rather than in Israel, compromising local jobs.

“Local airlines do not need to be ‘tempted’ to conduct their business from Israel and employ Israeli workers; they operate from here both in routine and in times of emergency, providing a dignified livelihood to thousands of Israeli families.” Wrote the union chairperson, Attorney Eyal Yadin in his letter to MP Miri Regev. “Introducing foreign labor and creating unfair competition that could destroy them would be a tragedy for generations.“

Israeli airlines have consistently maintained operations, both in routine times and during emergencies, playing a vital role in sustaining the economy and maintaining national connectivity when it mattered most. Their employees have been a cornerstone of Israel’s resilience. Attorney Roy Blitenthal, Director General of the Transport Workers’ Union, emphasizes: “The ministry and the public must recognize what we witnessed over the past two years—only Israeli airlines and their dedicated workers could be relied upon to prioritize the needs of Israeli passengers and reunite families.”

Exporting jobs and undermining fair competition is not just bad policy—it is an attack on decent work and social justice. These measures threaten the livelihoods of thousands of workers and weaken the resilience of the local aviation industry. The Histadrut demands genuine social dialogue before any decisions are taken that could irreversibly damage jobs and communities. We call on the Ministry to halt this process immediately and engage with workers’ representatives to ensure that economic policy serves workers and society as a whole.