Air India Cancels Flights to Tel Aviv, Israel Till May 25

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NEW DELHI- Air India (AI) has suspended flights from Delhi (DEL) to Tel Aviv (TLV) until May 25, 2025, due to security risks after a Houthi missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).

The airline, the only Indian carrier serving this route, offers refunds or rescheduling for affected passengers.

Air India Cancels Tel Aviv Flights

Air India (AI), the sole Indian airline operating direct flights between Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), extended its flight suspension until May 25, 2025, following a Houthi rebel missile attack near TLV on May 4, 2025.

The attack, in support of Palestinians, prompted Air India (AI) to divert a Delhi (DEL) to Tel Aviv (TLV) flight to Abu Dhabi (AUH), leading to an initial suspension until May 6, extended to May 8, and now May 25.

The decision reflects heightened regional tensions, with Houthi attacks escalating Israel’s security concerns. Air India (AI) announced on X, “Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till 25th May 2025,” offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling fees or full refunds for tickets valid until May 25.

The suspension disrupts approximately 1,500 weekly seats, per OAG Aviation data, impacting connectivity between India and Israel.

Customers can rebook without charges or request full refunds through Air India’s customer service or website. The airline advises monitoring updates via official channels, as the situation remains fluid.

Alternative Routes

Alternative routes via Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai (DXB) or Istanbul (IST) with carriers such as Emirates (EK) or Turkish Airlines (TK) remain available, though these add 4–6 hours to travel time.

Air India’s proactive communication and flexible policies aim to minimise inconvenience for its 300–400 weekly Tel Aviv passengers, maintaining trust amid the disruption.

Geopolitical Context

The Houthi missile attack near Tel Aviv (TLV) on May 4, 2025, part of Yemen-based rebels’ campaign against Israel, has heightened aviation risks in the region.

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), a key international gateway, faces intermittent threats, prompting other carriers like Lufthansa (LH) and British Airways (BA) to temporarily halt services in early May. Air India’s suspension aligns with safety advisories from the DGCA, which monitors conflict zones for Indian carriers.

The broader India-Israel corridor, valued for trade and diaspora ties, faces disruptions, with an estimated $10 million monthly revenue loss for Air India (AI), per industry analysts. The suspension follows a pattern of regional instability, including India-Pakistan airspace closures, forcing Air India (AI) to adapt operations from Delhi while maintaining safety standards.

Operational Considerations

Suspending the Delhi (DEL) to Tel Aviv (TLV) route, operated by Airbus A320neo aircraft, allows Air India (AI) to reallocate resources to high-demand domestic routes like Delhi (DEL) to Mumbai (BOM) or international routes to London (LHR).

The Tata Group-owned carrier, undergoing a fleet modernisation with new A350s, faces financial pressure from such disruptions but mitigates losses through flexible passenger policies. The suspension avoids the higher fuel costs of rerouting, unlike Air India’s European flights impacted by Pakistan’s airspace ban.

Air India’s decision to extend the suspension until May 25, 2025, reflects a cautious approach, balancing safety with long-term market recovery.

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Air India Suspends Tel Aviv, Israel Flight Amid Missile Attack

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