Due to the strike of the Israeli three largest airlines going into its second day, it has caused thousands of travelers to remain stranded.
"Airline workers launched the strike on Sunday to protest the government's approval of a new 'Open Skies' aviation deal with the European Union. Proponents say the deal will lower air fares and boost tourism. Union workers say it will threaten their jobs because Israel's small fleets and security costs make it hard to compete," reported USA Today.
According to a spokeswoman for El Al, Israel's national carrier, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, stated that about 15,000 people were stranded on Monday. But, on the good side, travelers that can't get alternative flights would get refunds.
"There are hundreds of people that can't get out, and it's a little upsetting," said Darius Schwartz of from New York, who lives in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem. "I'm a loyal El Al customer and I'll continue to fly El Al, but there's no reason to go on strike just because of ratifying a treaty that would equalize competition," Schwartz said on Sunday, according to USA Today.
The deal between the EU and the nation of Israel was agreed upon hours after the country's airlines first decided to strike because of concerns that the agreement would cost them jobs and possibly even ruin their companies.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the deal. "The goal of the reform that we approved today is to lower the prices of flights to and from Israel and to increase incoming tourism," he said, reported USA Today.
Although the strike does not affect flights by international carriers, Ofer Eini, head of the Histadrut, told Israel Radio that "the work stoppage could be broadened. He did not elaborate, but a strike by unionized airport workers or security staff, for instance, could bring the whole airport to a standstill," said USA Today.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
