Missile Strike Near Ben Gurion Airport Leads To Air India Flight Rerouting

A missile landed close to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Sunday, forcing an Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv to be rerouted to Abu Dhabi. Citing safety concerns, the airline has temporarily halted all flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6. Passengers impacted by the disruption are being offered exemptions or refunds.

The decision to reroute the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight, AI139, was made less than an hour before it was supposed to land at Ben Gurion Airport. The plane was flying through Jordanian airspace at the time. After the missile, which was allegedly fired from Yemen, touched down close to the airport, emergency procedures were followed and aviation traffic was briefly suspended.

Air India confirmed the diversion in a statement, stating that the incident at Ben Gurion Airport caused flight AI139, which was scheduled to depart Delhi for Tel Aviv on May 3, 2025, to be diverted to Abu Dhabi. The aircraft is scheduled to return to Delhi soon after making a safe landing in Abu Dhabi. To protect both passengers and staff, Air India has decided to halt all flights to and from Tel Aviv till May 6.

Passengers were reassured by the airline that ground crew is helping anyone impacted by the disruption and is assisting with other travel plans.

A one-time waiver for rescheduling or full reimbursements for cancellations was also provided by Air India for travellers who have reservations on flights scheduled between May 3 and May 6. The airline stressed that its first priority is the safety of its passengers and employees.

Given the circumstances, Air India also cancelled its Sunday return flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi.