New Delhi: A father hugs his daughter, who was evacuated from crisis-hit Ukraine, as she arrives at IGI Airport, New Delhi, Monday, February 28, 2022.
Highlight
- Two Air India evacuation flights arrived for Delhi on Monday from Bucharest and Budapest.
- Other private carriers such as SpiceJet, Indigo and Air India Express have also sent their aircraft.
Two Air India evacuation flights from Romanian capital Bucharest and Hungarian capital Budapest arrived in Delhi on Monday carrying 489 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine after Russian military strikes, officials said. Other private carriers such as SpiceJet, Indigo and Air India Express have also sent their planes to the two cities to evacuate Indians as Ukraine’s airspace is closed.
India on Saturday began evacuating its nationals from Romania and Hungary – Ukraine’s western neighbors – and Tata Group-owned Air India has so far brought back 1,396 Indian nationals in six evacuation flights. Officials said that on Monday, the fifth flight of Air India landed in Delhi from Bucharest carrying 249 Indian nationals, while the sixth flight from Budapest arrived here with 240 Indian nationals.
Around 14,000 Indians, mainly college students, are currently stranded in Ukraine. SpiceJet said that it will use its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for this special flight which will depart from Delhi on Monday evening. “The aircraft will fly from Delhi to Budapest and the return flight will operate via Kutaisi, Georgia,” it noted.
SpiceJet said it plans to operate more evacuation flights and is in discussion with the authorities concerned. Tata Group-owned Air India Express said it will operate a Bucharest-Mumbai flight on Friday night with 182 stranded passengers.
The flight will stop for refueling in Kuwait. It will land in Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9:30 am.” IndiGo said it is operating two evacuation flights using A321 aircraft to bring back Indian nationals safely after the crisis in Ukraine. Both flights to Delhi On Tuesday, it noted.
“These flights are being operated from Delhi to Bucharest, Romania and Budapest, Hungary via Istanbul, today, as part of the Operation Ganga mission of the Government of India,” it noted.
India’s largest airline said it is liaising closely with the government to extend its support for more such evacuation flights. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine said on Monday that the weekend curfew in Kyiv has been lifted and all students have been advised to go to the railway station to travel to the western parts of the country.
“Ukraine Railways is running special trains for evacuation. We sincerely request all Indian citizens/students to remain calm, peaceful and united,” it noted.
A huge crowd can be expected at railway stations, therefore, it is advised that all Indian students should be patient, restrained and do not behave aggressively at railway stations.
“We expect delays in the schedule of trains, even multiple cancellations and long queues,” it added. Indian students are requested to carry their passport, sufficient cash, ready-to-eat food, easily accessible winter clothing and only essential items, to ensure easy mobility.
Be mindful of your belongings at all times, it is advised.
“Ukrainians – both civilians and officials – have been remarkably helpful in facilitating the evacuation efforts of Indian citizens, especially given these critical and dangerous times. You all are requested to respect this sentiment, “It noted.
Read also: SpiceJet, Indigo, AI Express join Air India in sending evacuation flights for Indians in Ukraine