Delhi-Tel Aviv flight returns after closure of Israeli airspace; Air India cancels all flights to West Asia

Air India’s Delhi-Tel Aviv flight was forced to return on Saturday (February 28, 2026) after Israel and Iran closed their airspace, followed by the airline canceling all its flights to West Asia amid escalating regional tensions.

“AI139, which operates from Delhi to Tel Aviv on February 28, is returning to India due to the closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of passenger and crew safety,” the airline said in a statement.

Also read: Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates

A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said this The Hindu that the “government is reviewing the rapidly evolving situation.”

“We must ensure that passengers receive timely information and that airlines can plan alternative routes, taking into account the safety and rest and duty standards of pilots,” the official said.

Another Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi was also observed taking a wider detour to avoid the region – flying even further around Iran than its already modified route to avoid the closed airspace.

A time-lapse video on Flight radar24 showed that planes gradually left the airspace between Iran and Israel, shortly after both countries announced the closure of their airspace. Later in the day, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar temporarily closed their respective airspaces as a temporary precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, Delhi airport warned passengers of disruptions to westbound flights. “Due to the evolving political situation in the Middle East, international flights to the west may experience disruptions or schedule adjustments,” the report said.