Air India Suspends Tel Aviv, Israel Flight Amid rocket Attack

DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) flight from Delhi (DEL) to Tel Aviv (TLV) was diverted to Abu Dhabi (AUH) on Sunday (May 4, 2025) following a missile attack near Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). The attack occurred less than an hour before the Boeing 787 aircraft was scheduled to land.

In response to escalating tensions, Air India has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6, prioritizing passenger and crew safety. The diverted flight AI139 landed safely in Abu Dhabi and was subsequently returned to Delhi.

Photo: Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Air India Suspends Tel Aviv Flights

The missile strike at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) has triggered widespread flight suspensions across multiple international carriers.

Air India’s announcement follows similar decisions by British Airways (BA), which suspended Tel Aviv operations until May 7, and Lufthansa Group (LH), which immediately halted services to the region.

The attack occurred Sunday morning when a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed inside the airport perimeter, creating a substantial crater and injuring six people. Flight operations were temporarily suspended as authorities assessed the damage and security situation.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.com, Air India flight AI139 was in Jordanian airspace when the diversion decision was made. The aircraft landed normally in Abu Dhabi before returning to Delhi.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Air India, VT-ANX, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67097504

Severe Impact on Passengers

Air India has implemented comprehensive passenger support measures following the flight disruptions. An official company statement confirmed: “Our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6 May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our staff on the ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements.”

Passengers holding valid tickets for affected flights between May 3 and May 6, 2025, will receive either a one-time fee waiver for rescheduling or full refunds for cancellations. The airline emphasized that customer and crew safety remains its top priority during this volatile situation.

The disruption extends beyond Air India, with TUS Airways and Delta Air Lines (DL) canceling their scheduled services to Tel Aviv. Delta’s flight from JFK Airport has been removed from Sunday’s schedule, while Spanish carrier Air Europa has also suspended operations to the region.

Photo: Harsh Tekriwal AvgeekwithLens, Go Follow him on its social media

Regional Security Implications

The missile attack represents a significant escalation in regional tensions. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the strike, declaring that Israel’s main airport was “no longer safe for air travel.”

The Iranian-backed rebels have conducted numerous attacks against Israel throughout the Gaza conflict in solidarity with Palestinians.

The incident occurred hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were scheduled to vote on intensifying military operations in Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to the attack, stating: “Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold.”

Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with security ministers and defense officials on Sunday to discuss potential responses to the attack.

The continuing instability suggests air travel disruptions in the region may extend beyondthe currently announced timeframes.

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