New Delhi: An Air India flight to Israel was diverted to Abu Dhabi following Sunday’s missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
The missile attack took place less than an hour before Air India flight AI-139 from New Delhi was scheduled to land at Tel Aviv, reported PTI.
The aircraft was in Jordanian airspace when it was diverted to Abu Dhabi, as information on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.
“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.
Flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv will remain suspended till Tuesday.
“Consequently, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6 May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our staff on the ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements,” the airline informed.
“Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 3 and 6 May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority,” the spokesperson added.
Missile attack from Yemen
Air traffic to Israel’s main airport in Tel Aviv was briefly closed after a missile was launched from Yemen.
According to Israeli police, plane traffic and other activity around the airport were expected to resume after officers performed and completed final searches.
Videos and photos shared on social media showed smoke rising from near the airport after the missile landed on a road near the Terminal 3 parking lot.
Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover.
⚡️🇾🇪🇮🇱BREAKING:
A ballistic missile fired from Yemen made a direct impact at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Channel 12 Israel: Flights arriving and departing from Ben Gurion Airport suspended. pic.twitter.com/64R3ME2YFQ
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) May 4, 2025
Both the Arrow 3 and THAAD systems failed to intercept the Yemeni missile. pic.twitter.com/Q1bNJoKLH9
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) May 4, 2025
Yair Hetzroni, a senior Israeli police commander, showed reporters a crater caused by the impact of the missile, reported Reuters.
“You can see the scene right behind us here, a hole that opened up with a diametre of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep,” said Hetzroni, adding that there was no significant damage.
According to Israel’s paramedic service personnel Magen David Adom, four people were lightly wounded.
The Houthi rebels, who have been striking Israel amid the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians, claimed responsibility.
They said in a video statement that a hypersonic ballistic missile was fired at the airport.
Israel promised to strike back for the airport attack.
“Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold,” Defense minister Israel Katz said.
