New Delhi: An Air India flight headed to Tel Aviv from Delhi was forced to turn back mid-air on Saturday after Israel closed its airspace following its strike on Iran. The flight, AI139, has been diverted to Mumbai in the interest of passenger and crew safety.
“AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of safety of passengers and crew,” the airline said in a statement.
An airline official said the flight has been diverted to Mumbai. “We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as needed,” Air India said.
The airline also regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation.
Meanwhile, IndiGo said it was closely monitoring regional updates concerning Iran and its airspace.
“Our teams stand prepared to implement any necessary adjustments as the situation evolves,” it said in a post on X and asked passengers to check their flight status before departure.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, in a post on X, said the closed airspaces are affecting many flights and airlines.
Meanwhile, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has issued a passenger advisory warning of possible disruptions to westbound international flights following Israel’s “preemptive strike” on Iran on Saturday morning. Both Tel Aviv and Tehran have since closed their airspace. The airport, operated by GMR, has urged all passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Also Read: Israel and Iran Shut Airspaces: Check Delhi Airport’s Travel Advisory As Middle East Erupts
What Delhi Airport’s Advisory Says
The airport advisory states that due to the evolving political situation in the Middle East, westbound international flights may experience disruptions or schedule adjustments. Passengers have been strongly advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates before leaving for the airport.
The airport has also urged passengers to rely only on official channels for verified updates and to avoid acting on rumours or unverified social media posts.
For real-time flight updates visit www.newdelhiairport.in.
(With Inputs from PTI)
