Houthi Missile Attack: Air India Suspends Flights to Tel Aviv

Air India has announced the immediate suspension of its flight services to Tel Aviv for two days following a missile attack by Houthi rebels on the Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The airline stated that the decision was taken with the safety of its passengers and crew in mind.

According to the airline, flight AI139, which had departed from Delhi for Tel Aviv at the time of the attack, was rerouted to Abu Dhabi. The aircraft landed safely in Abu Dhabi and is expected to return to Delhi shortly. In light of the situation, Air India confirmed in a statement that all flights to and from Tel Aviv would be suspended until May 6.

The airline further stated that its staff is prepared to assist affected passengers and that alternate arrangements are being made. Passengers holding tickets valid between May 4 and May 6 will be allowed to reschedule their travel dates or cancel their tickets for a full refund without any additional charges. “At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our utmost priority,” the statement reiterated.

Reports indicate that a missile fired from Yemen struck near the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring four individuals. Although airport operations were briefly halted due to the attack, officials stated that services were later restored.

Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned that Ben Gurion Airport is no longer safe for air travel. In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reacted strongly, reportedly warning that Israel would retaliate with sevenfold strength against those who attack it. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the missile and drone attacks on Israel, stating they were carried out in solidarity with the Palestinians.