El Al Flying Again

El Al’s first passenger flight in four months took off from Ben Gurion Airport this morning for Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa. All seats were filled and there was a long waiting list, airline sources said.

The national air carrier had been grounded since September, except for a scattering of cargo flights, and was placed in the hands of a temporary receiver pending a decision whether to liquidate it or reorganize it on a more efficient basis. A far-reaching agreement between Histadrut, the receiver and management made the resumption of service possible today. But it was by no means certain that the airline’s new schedule would be met or that other flights would follow.

El Al pilots refused to sign the new labor contract on grounds that their differences with management involve safety-related work rules which precludes Histadrut from acting as their bargaining agent. The pilots filed for injunction in Jerusalem district court to invalidate the new labor contract.

With the court decision still pending, the pilots staffed today’s flight to Africa but insisted they were doing so under terms of their old contract, El Al management and the receiver claimed the new contract is applicable. Future flights apparently depend on what the court decides and how the pilots react to the decision. Management said a new timetable and additional routes will be introduced gradually.

(An El Al spokesman in New York quoted the company’s new president, Rafi Harlev, as saying that flights to Europe and Africa will resume within the week and service to New York will begin January 30. In honor of the resumption of flights, a special fare of $499 from New York to Tel Aviv is being offered until March 5, the spokesman said. Children from 2-12 can fly for $399; infants for $50. There are no restrictions on advanced purchase of tickets, and passengers may remain in Israel anywhere from 6-60 days. Fares are round-trip.)