Amid tensions, India removes restriction on flights from Ukraine

THE MEA HAS SET UP CONTROL ROOMS IN THE INDIAN EMBASSY IN KYIV AND IN DELHI

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday removed restrictions on the number of flights between India and Ukraine as well as the availability of seats on them under an air bubble agreement between the two countries amid tensions in the eastern European nation over a Russian troop build-up.

“Any number of flights as well as charter flights can operate. Indian airlines have been informed to mount the flights due to [an] increase in demand,” the ministry of civil aviation said in a statement on Thursday.

Indian authorities have been in talks with airlines on increasing the number of flights from Ukraine to facilitate the return of Indians wanting to leave the country because of the tensions.

People familiar with the development said the civil aviation ministry is facilitating the additional flights in coordination with the ministry of external affairs (MEA).

The MEA has set up control rooms in the Indian embassy in Kyiv and in New Delhi. The Indian embassy in Kyiv has also set up a 24-hour helpline to provide information and assistance to Indian nationals in Ukraine.

The embassy advised Indian citizens, especially the students, to temporarily leave that country in view of the uncertainties of the current situation. It also asked them to avoid non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.

Separately, the embassy said it has been receiving calls about non-availability of flights from Ukraine to India and advised Indians not to panic, but book the earliest available and convenient flights to travel home.