Due to tensions in the Middle East, Air India said on Friday that it will not be operating any flights to or from Tel Aviv until April 30.
The national capital and the Israeli city are connected by the airline with four weekly flights.
“Due to the changing circumstances in the Middle East, Air India operations to and from Tel Aviv will be discontinued till April 30, 2024. We are keeping a close eye on the issue,” an airline representative stated in a statement.
The airline is eliminating one-time costs for cancellation and rescheduling for passengers who have confirmed tickets for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period.
On Sunday, the airline decided to temporarily suspend its flights to Tel Aviv.
Middle East tensions have increased as a result of Iran’s strikes on Israel and the subsequent reaction.
On March 3, the Tata group airline restored service to the Israeli city after nearly five months of absence.
Air India stopped flying to and from Tel Aviv on October 7, 2023, in response to the Hamas group’s attack on the Israeli metropolis.
Air India’s decision to halt service to Tel Aviv is consistent with other foreign airlines’ similar responses to the escalated tensions in the Middle East. The German airline Lufthansa, for example, halted service to Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, and Erbil when Iran attacked Israel with missiles and drones. In addition, from April 13 to April 15, 2024, flights operated by UAE-based carriers Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines were postponed or rescheduled as a result of temporary airspace constraints in the area.
All things considered, the cancellation of Air India’s flights to and from Tel Aviv highlights the intricate interplay of geopolitical variables influencing aviation operations in the Middle East. Airlines continue to navigate the ever-changing world of international travel while putting their customers’ safety and security first despite ongoing difficulties.
Air India ceased its flights to Tel Aviv today and will not resume until April 30. Iran had rerouted several aircraft prior to Air India’s decision, according to FlightRadar data. Five days after Tehran attacked the Jewish nation, Israel launched its invasion on Iran. Air India stated on the social media site X, “We will not be operating our flights to or from Tel Aviv after April 30, 2024, due to the changing circumstances in the Middle East.”
Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv…
— Air India (@airindia) April 19, 2024Flyers were also provided with the airline’s hotline number. Travelers can contact 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 or visit airindia.com for more information. “In addition to providing assistance to our passengers with confirmed reservations for travel to and from Tel Aviv at this time, we are keeping an eye on the situation and are offering a one-time waiver of rescheduling and withdrawal fees,” the statement read.
Jordan has already blocked its airspace in response to Iran’s use of cruise missiles and explosive drones against Israel. Enraged by an airstrike by the Israeli Defense Force on Tehran’s embassy in Damascus, Syria, Iran launched an attack on Israel. The airstrike claimed the lives of many senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) army officers from Iran. Iran’s top leader, Ali Khamenei, had promised a robust response after the airstrike. Iran launched more than 200 missiles against Israel on April 13. Iran, meanwhile, declared the end of its operation and asked for no more escalation.
Israel, though, remained entitled to reply. Israel launched many missiles against Iran on April 19 in what was described as retaliation for the incident on April 13. Israel and Iran have always engaged in clandestine operations against one another. Iran has attacked Israel directly for the first time on April 13.
