A dispute between El Al and Hungary’s Malev airlines over airport security may delay the inauguration of direct airline service between the two countries.
A Malev plane had been scheduled to depart for Israel Monday, and an El Al flight had been scheduled for later in the week.
A Malev delegation is due in Israel later this week to discuss the dispute and examine the extremely strict measures demanded by Israel to ensure the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft.
According to Malev circles, the dispute involves the security arrangements for passengers leaving Budapest aboard Malev flights.
The Israelis’ complaints were unclear, although they may involve security checks on the ground or the use of “shotgun-riders,” or security personnel, who travel aboard the aircraft.
Similar disputes have surfaced in the past regarding service between Israel and both Romanian and Poland. Flights to Romania were suspended at one time because of the security issue.
Some 150 passengers are booked for the first Malev flight to Israel.
If the dispute persists and flights are canceled or postponed, El Al will make arrangements to fly Hungary-bound passengers to a destination in Europe, where they can make connecting flights to Budapest.
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