The government will use Air India (AI) to operate 64 evacuation flights to bring back about 15,000 Indians from over 12 countries, Hardeep Puri, Minister for Civil Aviation, announced on Tuesday.
He also hinted at the possibility of taking back some foreign nationals on the flights, which would otherwise be leaving India empty. Sources indicated that AI is working out the modalities. The Minister added that private airlines could be used along with the state carrier in future evacuation plans.
During the first week of evacuation, till around May 13, about 15 flights from seven countries carrying around 3,150 passengers will arrive in Kerala, 11 flights from nine countries carrying 2,150 passengers will land in Tamil Nadu, and seven flights will land from six countries in Telangana, carrying around 1,750 passengers.
