Air India Flight to Tel Aviv Diverted to Abu Dhabi After Missile Strike Near Israeli Airport
Date: 04-may-2025 | By: Nuztrend Team
In a dramatic mid-air decision, Air India flight AI139 from New Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, May 4, 2025, after a missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The incident occurred less than an hour before the aircraft was scheduled to land, triggering immediate security protocols.
Missile Launch Disrupts Air Traffic in Israel
According to the Associated Press, Israeli police temporarily suspended air traffic at Tel Aviv's main airport following the missile strike, believed to be launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. A plume of smoke was seen rising near Terminal 3, with a missile impact crater discovered beside an airport access road. Authorities confirmed the projectile landed near a parking area but caused no significant structural damage.
Passengers Rerouted, Return Flight Cancelled
Flightradar24 tracking data showed AI139 rerouting over Jordanian airspace before safely landing in Abu Dhabi. Air India has since cancelled its return flights from Tel Aviv to Delhi for May 5 and 6, as tensions in the region remain volatile. An official statement from Air India is still awaited.
Eyewitness Chaos and Minor Injuries
Local reports described panic among passengers near the airport, with many seen scrambling for cover. Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom, reported four individuals with light injuries, likely due to debris and chaos following the explosion. Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni displayed the crater to the press, describing it as “tens of metres wide and deep.”
Also Read
Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility
- The Houthi militant group claimed responsibility in a video statement, stating they had launched a hypersonic ballistic missile toward the Israeli airport in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
- This attack adds to a series of long-range strikes launched by the group since the onset of the Gaza conflict.
Israel Vows Strong Retaliation
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning following the incident: “Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold.” The Israeli military is reportedly assessing its response options amid the rising threat of regional escalation.
This incident underscores the risks posed to international air traffic by the widening conflict in the Middle East and raises serious questions about flight safety in conflict-adjacent regions.
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