Passengers planning to travel between India and Israel will have to wait longer.
Air India has announced that its Tel Aviv-Delhi flights will remain suspended until the end of September due to the ongoing security situation in West Asia.
The airline has already been suspending services on this route for several months, and the latest extension comes as tensions in the region continue to rise.
Why Has Air India Extended the Suspension?
According to Air India, the decision has been taken because of heightened security concerns in West Asia.
The latest developments come amid increased military activity involving the United States and Iran over the past few weeks.
The conflict has led to growing uncertainty across the region, prompting several international airlines to review their flight operations.
A senior official handling Air India’s Israel operations told PTI that flights on the Tel Aviv route will remain suspended until the end of September for safety reasons.
Many International Airlines Are Also Waiting
Air India is not the only airline affected by the situation.
Apart from Israeli carriers such as El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa, only a limited number of international airlines are currently operating flights to and from Israel.
Many global airlines have adopted a “wait and watch” approach before resuming services.
The prolonged suspension has made international travel more difficult for people travelling for work, business, tourism, or family visits.
Suspension Extended Multiple Times
Air India first suspended flights on the Tel Aviv route earlier this year due to rising tensions in the region.
The suspension was initially announced until the end of May, later extended through July, and has now been pushed further until the end of September as the security situation remains uncertain.
Thousands of Indians Likely to Be Affected
The continued suspension is expected to impact more than 40,000 Indians living in Israel, many of whom travel regularly between the two countries for personal, professional, or emergency reasons.
Until normal flight operations resume, passengers may need to rely on alternative routes and connecting flights, which could increase travel time and costs.
Air India has said it will continue to monitor the situation and review operations based on security conditions in the region.
