Delhi-Tel Aviv Flight Diverted to Mumbai as Israel Closes Airspace After Iran Attacks
Air India's AI139 returns to India due to safety concerns; airlines urge passengers to check flight status amid escalating tensions
NEW DELHI — Air India’s Delhi-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Mumbai on Saturday after Israel closed its airspace following joint US-Israel military attacks on Iran.
Flight AI139, which was operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv, was forced to return 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 confirmed that 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 added, expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the unforeseen situation.
The development comes after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran, with explosions reported across Tehran and other provinces. In response, Iran has launched missiles toward American bases in Bahrain, further escalating tensions in the region.
Several airlines have been affected by the closure of airspaces. Flight tracking website Flightradar24.com reported that closed airspaces are impacting many flights across the region.
IndiGo, another Indian carrier, 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,” the airline posted on X, advising passengers to check their flight status before departure.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has issued an advisory urging citizens to “exercise utmost caution” as tensions escalate between Israel, the US, and Iran.
Source: PTI / Vartha Bharati
