Air India suspends Israel's Tel Aviv flights till May 6 after missile attack

Air India has suspended its flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6 following a missile strike near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. The decision was made to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, the airline said. Earlier, an Air India flight bound for Tel Aviv from Delhi was forced to divert to Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning following a missile strike near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. The incident prompted immediate flight suspensions by Air India and other carriers, highlighting the escalating security concerns in the region.

Flight AI139, operated by a Boeing 787 aircraft, was on its final approach to Tel Aviv, approximately an hour from its scheduled landing time, when the decision to divert was made. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft was over Jordanian airspace at the time. Air India confirmed the flight landed safely in Abu Dhabi and stated it would subsequently return to Delhi.

The diversion was necessitated by a missile attack attributed to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which struck within the perimeter of Ben Gurion Airport. The projectile landed near the parking area of Terminal 3, wounding six people and creating a large crater less than a kilometre from the tarmac, although no damage to terminal buildings or runways was reported. The attack led to a temporary suspension of all air traffic at Israel's main international gateway.

In response to these developments, Air India swiftly announced a suspension of all its flight operations to and from Tel Aviv, effective immediately and lasting until May 6, 2025. The airline cited the safety of its customers and crew as the paramount reason for this decision. "Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended... to ensure the safety of our customers and staff," the airline stated via social media platform X.

Air India assured affected passengers that assistance would be provided. Customers holding valid tickets for flights between May 4th and 6th are being offered a one-time waiver for rescheduling or the option of a full refund if they choose to cancel. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety and provided helpline numbers for further information.