Air India Halts Tel Aviv Flights Until May 6 Following Missile Attack Near Airport<br /><br />Air India has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Tel Aviv until May 6, following a missile strike near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport reportedly launched by Houthi rebels. The airline confirmed that a scheduled flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv on May 4 was rerouted to Abu Dhabi after the incident occurred. In a public statement, Air India emphasized that the decision was made in the interest of passenger and crew safety.<br /><br />“Flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv on May 4, 2025, was diverted to Abu Dhabi due to an incident at Ben Gurion Airport earlier today. The flight landed safely in Abu Dhabi and will return to Delhi shortly. As a precaution, all operations to and from Tel Aviv are suspended with immediate effect until May 6,” the statement read. The airline added that staff are actively supporting passengers with alternate travel arrangements.<br /><br />Passengers holding valid tickets for travel between May 4 and 6 will be eligible for a one-time rescheduling waiver or a full refund, the airline assured. “At Air India, the safety and well-being of our customers and crew remain our highest priority,” the statement said.<br /><br />The missile reportedly struck near the main terminal, injuring four individuals and briefly halting airport operations, which have since resumed. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree declared that Ben Gurion Airport is now unsafe for flights. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed strong retaliation, warning that any attack on Israel would be met with a response sevenfold in strength.<br /><br />The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has escalated missile and drone assaults on Israel in what it claims is an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people.<br />
