GURUGRAM- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has declared the suspension of all flights to and from Tel Aviv (TLV) until the end of April, citing escalated tensions in West Asia between Israel and Iran.
In a move to ease concerns for passengers with existing bookings, the airline also announced a one-time exemption on rescheduling and cancellation fees.
Air India Suspends Tel Aviv Flights
“In light of the evolving situation in the Middle East, our flights to and from Tel Aviv will be temporarily halted until April 30, 2024. We are closely monitoring developments and are offering assistance to passengers holding confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, including a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation fees,” stated the airline in a communication on X.
“We want to emphasize that at Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our utmost priority,” it further affirmed.
In the early hours of Friday, reports surfaced of explosions resonating across an Iranian city, with some media outlets characterizing it as an Israeli assault. Iran, however, has downplayed the event, suggesting no intention for retaliation. Local Iranian media have depicted a limited number of explosions attributed to interception by Tehran’s air defenses over the city of Isfahan.
Israel has maintained a restrained response to the incident. This escalation follows Tehran’s launch of over 300 drones and missiles towards Israeli territory in response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 individuals.
Other Flight Cancellations
On Sunday, international carrier Etihad Airways (EY) ceased operations in Israel’s capital, Tel Aviv, and Jordan’s capital, Amman. Nonetheless, the airline intends to resume its regular passenger and cargo services between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Tel Aviv and between Amman and Beirut in the near future.
Delta Air Lines has canceled flights between Tel Aviv and New York until June 7.
Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 24.
Virgin Atlantic has temporarily halted flights to and from Tel Aviv until September 4.
Finnair has canceled flights to Tel Aviv until October 29.
Portugal’s TAP has suspended Tel Aviv flights indefinitely without specifying a timeframe.
Cyprus Airways has suspended its Larnaca-Tel Aviv route until further notice.
On Tuesday, Britain’s EasyJet announced the suspension of flights to Israel until October 27.
KLM has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv, including Thursday, as per information on its website.
Finnair has halted operations in Iranian airspace indefinitely. A spokesperson mentioned that the Finnish carrier would divert flights from Doha over Egypt, resulting in minor delays of a “few minutes.”
A spokesperson from SAS stated that flights between Copenhagen and Bangkok traverse the region partially, and one flight had to be rerouted on the night between Saturday and Sunday.
IAG-owned Iberia Express posted on social media that it would cancel flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday.
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