Private airlines likely to be part of next phase

GOVT OPEN TO THE IDEA OF INVOLVING PRIVATE AIRLINES IN MISSION IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REPATRIATION FLIGHTS, SAYS MEA OFFICIAL

The third phase of the Vande Bharat Mission, India’s massive programme to repatriate nationals stranded across the globe because of the Covid-19 crisis, is expected to involve private airlines to increase the number of flights.

The third phase is set to begin after June 13, when the second phase will end. India is bringing back about 32,000 citizens on more than 160 flights from 47 countries during the second phase, which began on May 16.

“There will be a third phase of repatriation. The second phase will last till June 13,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava told an online news briefing. “We are very receptive to the idea [of involving private airlines] and the ministry of civil aviation is already in discussions with private airlines to see how they can be included under the Vande Bharat Mission so that we can increase the number of flights,” he said.

All flights in the first two phases were being operated by staterun Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express. The government has also used air force aircraft and naval warships to repatriate nationals.

As of Thursday, 23,475 Indians have been repatriated under the Vande Bharat Mission. They include 4,883 workers, 4,196 students and 3,087 professionals.

The second phase has included destinations such as Istanbul, Ho Chi Minh City and Lagos, and increased flights to the US and Europe.

Several flights from other countries, coming in to evacuate citizens of those countries, have ferried stranded Indians. A flight from Buenos Aires that arrived on Thursday carried 62 Indians.

A total of 259,001 Indian nationals in 98 countries around the world have registered to return under Vande Bharat Mission. Most of them are workers (28%), students (25%), professionals (14.5%), and short-term visa holders such as tourists (7.6%).

Wherever possible, passengers have to undergo testing before boarding flights and in a few instances, those who tested positive for Covid-19 weren’t allowed to board. “There is full medical screening and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed on board,” Srivastava said.