Amid Rising Middle East Tensions Air India Suspends Israel Flights

New Delhi: Air India has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, effective immediately until August 8 due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, the airline informed on Friday.

Most international airlines are avoiding Iranian and Lebanese airspace and cancelling flights to Israel and Lebanon fearing a possible conflict in the region after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

“In view of the ongoing situation in parts of the Middle East, we have suspended scheduled operation of our flights to and from Tel Aviv with immediate effect up to and including 08 August 2024,” Air India said in a post on X.

Singapore Airlines also appeared to no longer be using Iranian airspace for any of its routes, according to flight tracker Flightradar24. Taiwan’s EVA Air and China Airlines also appeared to be avoiding Iran airspace for flights to Amsterdam on Friday.

The US and European airlines, already avoid flying over Iran, since the missile and drone attacks in April between Iran and Israel.

Germany’s Lufthansa Group, U.S. carriers United Airlines and Delta Air, and Italy’s ITA Airways said they had suspended flights to Tel Aviv.

Canada on Thursday issued a notice to Canadian aircraft to avoid Lebanese airspace for one month due to the risks. Britain has for the past month advised pilots of potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry and military activity in Lebanon’s airspace.