Air India Suspends Delhi-Tel Aviv Flights Till May 31 - Is the War Going That Far?

Amid

the ongoing war in West Asia, Air India has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv till May 31. The move comes as security concerns escalate in the region following continued hostilities. An Air India executive confirmed to PTI that the airline has suspended flights on the New Delhi to Tel Aviv route till May 31. Several global carriers have also halted operations on this route, leaving only Israeli airlines such as El Al, IsraAir, Arkia, and Air Haifa operating under strict restrictions.Also Read | Families of AI171 Crash Victims Seek Release of Black Box Data, Write to PM Modi

Indians Face Travel Challenges

The suspension has created difficulties for more than 40,000 Indians living in Israel who are seeking to travel back to India for personal or professional reasons or to leave the conflict zone.With direct flights unavailable, Indians have been relying on land routes through Jordan and Egypt to exit Israel before boarding onward flights.

The Indian mission in Tel Aviv has been assisting those attempting to travel through alternative routes. It has also stayed in constant touch with the community, setting up a 24x7 emergency helpline and launching a registration drive to track and support citizens.

Embassy's Constant Support

Ambassador J P Singh and the embassy team held a virtual interaction with Indian workers and students across Israel, addressing concerns and providing assurances, a report by PTI said. The mission said it would offer "constant support during the ongoing crisis, and beyond".

The New Delhi to Tel Aviv service had resumed on January 1 with four weekly flights using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. However, operations were disrupted after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliation that widened the conflict across the Gulf region.The escalation has also impacted global energy supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.