‘Air India Vande Bharat fares less than repatriation flights of other countries; 3.5 lakh register to return’

NEW DELHI: The world’s largest-ever repatriation exercise, Vande Bharat Mission, will expand its wings in the third phase which begins after June 13. For the first time in this exercise, India will send flights to Africa to fly back its citizens from there.
Till now almost 3.5 lakh Indians abroad have registered to return home on compelling grounds and over a lakh have been brought back.
“The third phase covers more sectors and will create additional hubs in remote regions. About 38,000 persons are expected to be repatriated under this phase on 337 international flights from 31 countries, including 54 from US, 24 from Canada, 11 flights from 6 African countries — Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Seychelles and Mauritius,” said ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.
Meanwhile, aviation minister H S Puri on Thursday laid to rest fears that Air India fares for the Vande Bharat flights are high. On the contrary, he said, AI fares are lower than repatriation flights organised by other countries/airlines.
“Some people have raised concern about rates being charged by AI for special Vande Bharat flights.