Air India Extends Suspension Of Flights To Israel Till July End Amid West Asia Conflict

New Delhi: Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Air India on Thursday announced it would extend the suspension of its Tel Aviv-Delhi flights until the end of July. Earlier this month, the airline had announced suspension till the end of June. However, due to the uncertain security situation in West Asia due to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, Air India decided to further extend its suspension of operations on the route by another month.A senior executive heading the airlines' Israel operations told PTI that the "schedule amendment (has been) notified yesterday evening." The flights have been "further suspended till 31 July due to the geopolitical situation," he said.Notably, since the start of the West Asia conflict

on February 28, airlines have been facing multiple challenges, including costlier fuel and airspace curbs, which pushed up their operational costs. Middle East Tensions Live Updates - Check HereEarlier in April, the Indian carrier announced to put on hold its operations till the end of May, which is now further extended. Despite the ceasefire between the US and Iran holding on for some time, the uncertainties surrounding the situation in West Asia have pushed the majority of airlines to stop operating on the Tel Aviv route.Besides Israeli carriers like El Al, IsraAir, Arkia and Air Haifa, only a few other international airlines have resumed operations, posing great challenges for those looking to travel abroad for work, vacation or family visits.The suspension of Air India flights has caused major worries among more than 40,000 Indians living in Israel who wish to travel to India for personal/professional reasons, or even to escape the uncertainties in the region.

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The limited options also mean heightened costs, which is a major concern among Indian workers.Notably, tensions in the Middle East escalated again on Thursday after the United States carried out fresh strikes on an Iranian military site. Hours after the attack, Kuwait reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones. Notably, the strikes came hours after United States President Donald Trump said that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and insisted that November’s midterm elections won’t make him rush into a deal to end the nearly three-month-old conflict that’s spurred unease across the global economy.(With inputs from PTI)