Air India has resumed its non-stop services between India and Tel Aviv from New Year’s Day, January 1, restoring direct air connectivity between the two countries. The move is expected to give a renewed boost to tourism, business travel, and economic engagement between India and Israel, which were impacted following the suspension of flights last year.
The Tata Group-owned airline had halted operations on the route in June 2025 amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The suspension followed Iranian missile strikes on a US base in Qatar, prompting Air India to temporarily cease services to the region, as well as select routes to Europe and the East Coast of North America, citing safety considerations.
At the time, the airline announced that all affected operations were being stopped with immediate effect until further notice, reflecting uncertainty around regional security conditions. The prolonged disruption impacted passenger travel, tourism activity, and trade links between India and Israel.
According to Israel’s tourism ministry, the reinstated service will operate five times a week, from Sunday to Thursday. Air India will deploy its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route, offering enhanced comfort and modern onboard amenities for long-haul travellers.
As per the schedule, flights from Delhi will depart at 7:00 am and arrive in Tel Aviv at 9:55 am, while return services will leave Tel Aviv at 11:40 am and land in Delhi at 8:50 pm. The timings are designed to facilitate convenient onward connections to domestic and international destinations.
Welcoming the resumption, the Indian Embassy in Israel underscored the significance of renewed direct connectivity. In a post on X, the Embassy expressed support for the service and encouraged travellers from both countries to utilise the non-stop route, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening bilateral ties.
If you’d like, I can also provide a shorter news brief or headline-only version.
