In a significant development highlighting rising tensions in the Middle East, an Air India flight en route from New Delhi to Tel Aviv was forced to divert to Abu Dhabi on Sunday after reports emerged of a missile attack near Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The incident underscores the growing regional instability and its direct impact on international air travel.
The affected flight, AI139, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was scheduled to land in Tel Aviv less than an hour after the reported missile strike occurred. According to aviation sources familiar with the incident, the aircraft was traversing Jordanian airspace when the decision was made to reroute it for the safety of the passengers and crew on board.
The flight was diverted as a precautionary measure and landed safely in Abu Dhabi. Sources confirmed that the aircraft would not proceed to its original destination and instead would return to Delhi. As of now, there has been no official statement released by Air India regarding the diversion, though an announcement is expected soon.
Air India has also cancelled the return leg of the journey — the scheduled Tel Aviv to Delhi flight for the same day — amid ongoing security concerns. Passengers scheduled to travel from Israel to India have been advised to await further communication from the airline or seek alternate arrangements.
Flight tracking data from the aviation website Flightradar24.com corroborated the incident, showing the flight’s path and its diversion trajectory while flying over Jordan.
The airspace over Tel Aviv was briefly closed to all incoming and outgoing flights following the missile strike, which reportedly originated from Yemen. The projectile landed near the Tel Aviv airport, prompting a temporary halt in air traffic to assess the situation and ensure the safety of aviation operations.
The missile attack is part of a larger pattern of escalating conflict in the region, with multiple actors involved. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have previously launched long-range missile and drone strikes in support of Palestinian militants in Gaza, bringing conflict zones dangerously close to civilian infrastructure such as airports.
Aviation authorities around the world routinely monitor developments in conflict zones and issue notices to airmen (NOTAMs) for affected regions. Airlines, including Air India, often adjust their flight routes in real time based on threat assessments and government advisories.
This is not the first time commercial flights to Israel have been disrupted due to security concerns. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, one of the busiest in the region, has been temporarily closed or had restricted operations during periods of heightened conflict in the past.
As of now, there is no confirmation on when air traffic to and from Tel Aviv will resume normal operations. The situation continues to be monitored by global aviation agencies and national governments.
Passengers are advised to remain in contact with their airlines and check official flight status updates for the latest information. The safety of passengers and crew remains the top priority for all carriers operating in volatile regions.