Air India has diverted its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight AI139 to Abu Dhabi following a missile attack at Israel's Ben Gurion airport on Sunday morning, the airline announced.
"Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv of 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," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.
The airline has suspended all operations to and from Tel Aviv until May 6, 2025, citing safety concerns for passengers and crew. "Our staff on ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements," the spokesperson added.
Passengers holding valid tickets for flights between May 4 and May 6 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation.
The incident at Ben Gurion Airport involved a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels, which briefly halted all flights and commuter traffic at Israel's main international gateway. The missile landed in a field near an access road leading to airport parking lots, creating a deep crater and causing panic among passengers.
Israeli authorities temporarily suspended air, road, and rail traffic following the attack, resuming operations after approximately one hour. The Israeli paramedic service reported four people sustained light injuries.
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. The Iran-backed rebels have been targeting Israel throughout the Gaza conflict in solidarity with Palestinians.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed retaliation, declaring: "Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold."
The missile strike occurred as Israeli ministers prepared to vote on expanding military operations in Gaza, with thousands of reserves reportedly being called up in anticipation of wider action.
