Full Breakdown
Air India to Reinstate Direct Delhi-Tel Aviv Service
By Drooid · · How we work
Planned Resumption
Air India has announced that it will operate five weekly direct flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv, slated to begin on December 1. The airline will join the roster of foreign long-haul carriers at Ben Gurion Airport, which already includes Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Recent History of Service Interruptions
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, Air India’s Israel link has been repeatedly suspended. The carrier briefly resumed flights in March 2025, but halted them the following month after a Houthi ballistic missile struck Ben Gurion Airport. A later restart in February 2026 was ended at the end of that month when hostilities with Iran escalated. The route remained grounded for more than seven months, with a planned restart in early October postponed amid ongoing security concerns.
Operational Details and Schedule
The scheduled service will use Boeing 777 aircraft, with flights operating Sunday through Thursday. According to Air India’s representative office in Israel, the current timetable is intended to remain in effect through March 27 2027. The airline’s return will restore the only direct air link between India and Israel, allowing travelers to connect onward from Delhi to destinations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Conflicting Reports on Resumption Date
Two sources differ on the exact restart date. One report states the flights will commence on October 1, while another indicates a postponement to December 1. Both dates appear in the published material, reflecting uncertainty about the final launch schedule.
Outlook and Regional Context
The reinstated route follows a period in which flights were forced to divert or cancel due to regional security incidents, including the closure of Israeli airspace in late February and the missile impact at Ben Gurion Airport. Air India’s renewed service will expand travel options for both Israeli and Indian passengers, though its continuity remains tied to the evolving security environment in the Middle East.