Missile attack near Tel Aviv airport in Israel, Air India flight from Delhi diverted to Abu Dhabi

Tel Aviv (The Uttam Hindu): An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv, AI139, was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday after a missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The flight, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was less than an hour away from landing in Tel Aviv when the decision was made to reroute it due to security concerns.

Air India's Response

Air India confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, "Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv 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." The airline prioritized passenger safety, temporarily suspending all operations to and from Tel Aviv until May 6, 2025.

Passengers who had booked flights between May 3 and May 6 are being offered two options: one-time flight rescheduling facility at no additional cost or a full refund if they wish to cancel their trip. Air India staff are assisting passengers in making alternative arrangements.

Missile Attack Details

The missile, fired from Yemen, landed on a road near Terminal 3, creating a crater tens of meters deep and wide. Four people were lightly injured, and smoke was visible rising from the airport after the attack. Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, stating they fired a hypersonic ballistic missile in solidarity with Palestinians and the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of a severe response, saying, "Whoever harms us, we will retaliate sevenfold." The airport has reopened after a thorough search by security forces, and air traffic is gradually returning to normal with caution.