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Airport staff conduct pre-departure verification of an Air India Express flight to the UAE to bring stranded Indian nationals back, during the ongoing COVID-19 national blockade in Kochi. (Image: PTI)
The development comes as India begins one of the world’s largest air evacuation operations beginning May 7, when the two airlines began the first phase of the mission.
- News18.com
- Last update: May 8, 2020 8:24 PM IST
- Edited by: Anirudh SK
Air India has started the country’s largest repatriation operation with the Vande Bharat Mission. The first of 64 flights took off yesterday piloted by Captain Anshul Sheoran flew yesterday. In her first in-flight announcement, Sheoran described how it was an honor for him to fly the first flight on such a crucial mission.
Indian airspace for international flights reopened on Thursday after being closed for more than 7 weeks. The first flight flying from Abu Dhabi to Kochi was scheduled to arrive at its destination at 10 p.m. from Thursday. Sheoran also praised the efforts of the Indian Navy, which embarked on a similar mission called “Samudra Sethu” to bring back Indian citizens from nearby countries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/_q9FMgKLjjo
In addition to the one-way ferry service, Air India invited passengers, who qualify under the new international government travel rules to request passage from India to various destinations, the airline will send its aircraft for evacuation flights.
The development comes as India begins one of the world’s largest air evacuation operations beginning May 7, when the two airlines began the first phase of the mission.
Under the plans, these two airlines will operate 64 flights in seven days to bring back 14,800 stranded Indians from 12 countries.
Overall, more than 190,000 Indian citizens, who would have to pay a one-way ferry service fee, are expected to return to the airlift operation.
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