Air India is providing a full refund to passengers with confirmed bookings for flights to and from Tel Aviv.
The flight suspension occurs amid escalating fears of a regional conflict following the recent killings of senior members of the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
Air India announced on Friday that it has extended the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv indefinitely, citing escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The Tata Group-owned airline is offering full refunds to passengers with confirmed bookings for these routes.
“We are continuously monitoring the situation and are offering a full refund to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv. The safety of our guests and crew remains our topmost priority,” the airline stated.
This suspension comes amid rising concerns of a potential war in the region following the recent killings of senior members of the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
This is not the first time Air India has suspended its services to Tel Aviv. The airline previously halted its Delhi-Tel Aviv flights on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on the Israeli city. Services were only briefly resumed on March 3, after nearly five months of suspension due to ongoing regional tensions.
The continuing conflict in the Middle East has kept tensions high, prompting multiple airlines to take precautionary measures.
United Airlines also suspended its flights to Tel Aviv on Thursday, citing security concerns. The Chicago-based carrier halted its daily service from Newark, New Jersey, to Tel Aviv on July 31, though the flight had been available for booking starting September 1.
Last Friday, the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv advised all Indian nationals in Israel to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols amid the cancellation of flights by multiple airlines.
“Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country, and stay close to safety shelters. The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals,” the embassy said in an advisory.
The Indian Embassy in Beirut also strongly advised Indian nationals against traveling to Lebanon until further notice.
