An Air India representative confirmed to PTI that the airline has suspended operations on the New Delhi-Tel Aviv route until May 31.
Most major airlines have ceased their services to Tel Aviv, leaving only Israeli carriers such as El Al, IsraAir, Arkia, and Air Haifa to operate under strict limitations.
The flight suspension has raised significant concerns for over 40,000 Indians residing in Israel who wish to return to India for personal, professional, or safety reasons due to the rising tensions in the area.
Indians attempting to exit Israel must travel through Jordan or Egypt via land crossings into those countries.
The Indian mission in Tel Aviv is aiding those seeking to travel through various channels.
The embassy has maintained ongoing communication with the community, establishing a 24×7 emergency hotline and initiating an extensive registration campaign.
On Saturday, Ambassador J P Singh and the embassy team held a virtual meeting with Indian workers and students throughout Israel to address their concerns, assuring them of “continuous support during and after the current crisis,” as stated on the mission’s social media platform.
The direct flight service from New Delhi to Tel Aviv was re-established on January 1, featuring four weekly flights using the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
However, flights have faced disruptions since the U.S. and Israel conducted a joint operation against Iran on February 28.
The retaliation by the Islamic Republic has extended the conflict across the entire Gulf region. This turmoil has significantly impacted energy supply chains, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
(Edited by : priyanka deshpande)
