An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday following a missile strike near Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, triggering a temporary suspension of all Air India flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6.
The flight, AI139, operated using a Boeing 787, was approaching Tel Aviv when it was diverted due to security concerns. According to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, the aircraft was in Jordanian airspace when the decision to reroute was made. The flight landed safely in Abu Dhabi and is expected to return to Delhi.
Air India issued a statement confirming the diversion, citing “an incident at Ben Gurion airport,” and announced the suspension of its operations to Tel Aviv “with immediate effect till May 6, 2025” to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The airline added that ground staff are assisting affected passengers and providing alternative travel options.
Customers holding valid tickets for travel between May 3 and 6 are eligible for either a full refund or a one-time rescheduling waiver.
The missile strike, which occurred less than an hour before the scheduled landing of AI139, injured six people and damaged infrastructure within the airport perimeter, according to AFP. Reports indicate the attack was carried out by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who claimed responsibility and warned that Tel Aviv airport is “no longer safe for air travel.”
The incident led to the cancellation of several other flights by airlines including TUS Airways and Lufthansa. U.S.-bound flights were delayed by over an hour.
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant condemned the attack, stating, “Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to hold emergency meetings with his security and defence teams to discuss a possible response.
The strike comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ahead of a crucial Israeli Cabinet vote on expanding military operations in Gaza.
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