New Delhi, 28 February (H.S.): Air India's New Delhi-Tel Aviv flight AI-139 was diverted to Mumbai on Saturday due to the abrupt closure of Israeli airspace following strikes on Iran, underscoring the aviation fallout from escalating Middle East tensions.

In a statement, the Tata Group carrier confirmed the en-route diversion, prioritising passenger and crew safety amid the regional volatility triggered by US-Israel operations against Tehran.

The airline announced a week-long suspension of Tel Aviv services from March 1, vowing continuous security assessments and operational adjustments as needed.

An airline official noted the safe landing in Mumbai, apologising for inconveniences while reaffirming commitment to the highest safety standards.

Concurrently, IndiGo issued an X advisory, affirming vigilance over Iran-linked airspace developments and readiness to adapt, urging passengers to verify flight statuses pre-departure with updates via registered contacts.

This mid-air rerouting aligns with broader disruptions, including shuttered airspaces across Israel, Iran, and neighbouring states, stranding flights and prompting global carriers to recalibrate routes amid the burgeoning conflict.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar