May 5, 2025 - Air India yesterday, May 4, suspended its flight operations to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, after a Houthis' missile struck near the city's airport owing to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. This suspension is with immediate effect until May 6. 

Other airlines also to suspend operations to Israel are Germany's Lufthansa, British Airways and America's Delta Air Lines.

Recently, the US had carried out airstrikes on Yemen in support of Israel. Following this, Houthi rebels launched a missile at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, sending a plume of smoke into the air and causing panic among passengers. Just an hour after the attack, an Air India flight was scheduled to land, but it was diverted to Abu Dhabi for safety, reportedly while it was flying through Jordanian airspace.

"Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff," the airline said in its official statement.

The airline said it was working closely with its customers to provide alternative arrangements and minimise any disruptions caused by the suspension.

A spokesman of the airline said, Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 4 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion Airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi…Our staff on ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements. Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 4 and 6 May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority."

With Media Inputs