Air India evacuates crew from Israel, brings them home on Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa.

NEW DELHI: Air India Evacuates Crew Members and Employees from Tel Aviv

Air India’s Evacuation

Air India has evacuated its crew members and two other employees from Tel Aviv. The airline had cancelled its October 7 Delhi-Tel Aviv flight following deadly terror attacks in Israel and consequently, the return flight did not operate. However, there were 10 crew members already in Israel — pilots and cabin crew — to operate the return flight.

On Sunday, the airline flew out these 10 crew members along with the station and airport managers out of Israel. They are learnt to have boarded a flight to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian and will take a connecting flight from there to India. “For AI, the safety of its passengers and employees is paramount. Given the situation in Israel, the October 7 flight was cancelled, and our people in Israel have been flown out,” said sources.

Flight Cancellations

Meanwhile, AI has cancelled its Israel flights till October 14. “Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till October 14, 2023, for the safety of our passengers and crew. Air India will extend all possible support to passengers who have confirmed bookings on any flight during this period,” an Air India spokesperson said. AI has five flights weekly nonstops to Tel Aviv and will take a call on them depending on the situation in the country.

Impact on EL AL Flights

Israeli airline EL AL had earlier announced that it will resume India flights in October after a three-year pandemic gap. The journey was to be shorter thanks to it overflying Saudi Arabia and Oman now. However, it remains to be seen if this plan changes in light of recent events.

Summary:

• Air India has evacuated its crew members and two other employees from Tel Aviv.
• The airline had cancelled its October 7 Delhi-Tel Aviv flight following deadly terror attacks in Israel.
• Flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till October 14 for the safety of passengers and crew.
• Israeli airline EL AL had planned to resume India flights in October, but the situation may affect their plans.