New Delhi: The Central government is likely to operate 64 flights from May 7 to 13 to bring home around 14,800 Indian nationals stranded abroad because of the coronavirus lockdown, said senior government officials on Tuesday.
These special flights would be operated by Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express to repatriate Indians from 12 countries — the UAE, the UK, the US, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, said the officials.
India has been under a lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the coronavirus and it will continue till May 17. All commercial passenger flights have been suspended for this period.
Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Monday it will facilitate the return of asymptomatic Indian nationals stranded abroad from May 7 onwards, in a phased manner, through aircraft and naval ships on a payment basis.
Between May 7 and 13, India is likely to conduct 10 flights to the UAE, seven flights each to the US and the UK, five to Saudi Arabia, five to Singapore and two flights to Qatar, the officials told PTI.
It is also likely to conduct seven flights each to Malaysia and Bangladesh, five each to Kuwait and Philippines, two each to Oman and Bahrain, the officials noted.
Out of the 64 repatriation flights, 15 would be from Kerala, 11 each would be from Delhi and Tamil Nadu, seven each would be from Maharashtra and Telangana, and remaining flights would be from five other states, the officials said.
“Approximately 14,800 Indian nationals are likely to return to the country through these 64 flights during the seven-day period. The government will run more repatriation flights after May 13,” one of the officials said.
The coronavirus has infected more than 46,400 people and killed around 1,560 people in India till now.
Also read: Database on those stranded, download Aarogya Setu app: Delhi govt’s SOP on migrants
What about Sri Lanka. There are many Indians here waiting to get home and meet their loved ones. Some of the folks I know have ill parents?
Idiots go to earn money and tax payers money to bring these gold diggers back. Next time they go to dig gold, they must pay for the way back when shit hits the fan. Freaking freeloaders
my friend, indian government charging full pay for the one way trip. Mind your words. Those who go for the temporary vist for the abroad and those who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus lockdown…..how to comeback to their respective countries ? Can you arrange Job for those jobless ?
Ok whatever the government wants to do is fine. My problem is the places where the flights are landing. Number of people and from which places are not divided. Why Delhi , Maharashtra Chennai where max. Cases are already there. Why not the places towards end of table. Why concentrate on these already red zoned places.