Highlights
- 8 repatriation flights planned from Australia in the third phase of Mission Vande Bharat
- Passengers to pay $1600-$4310 for Air India repatriation flights
- India has extended its ban on international flights till June 30
(This story has been updated as per latest developments)
Air India will operate 70 flights to cities in the US, Canada and Australia under the third phase of Mission Vande Bharat, between June 11-30 to repatriate Indians stranded abroad.
The Indian High Commission in Australia on Thursday confirmed eight repatriation flights have been planned from Melbourne and Sydney in Australia from June 17.
"The 2nd phase of special flights from Australia to repatriate stranded nationals with compelling needs is scheduled from 17-24 June 2020," the High Commission tweeted.
Four flights will leave from Sydney and from Melbourne between June 17 and 24, the Indian High Commission in Canberra has announced.
The second phase includes flights to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Hyderabad.
The passengers will be shortlisted by the Indian authorities.
Source: Twitter / Indian High Commission
‘The number of seats on the flights are limited. Passengers with the most compelling cases are being given priority,’ the HCI has said.
‘The cost of travel from Australia to the end destination in India is to be borne by the passenger.’
Register for repatriation flights here.
All passengers will be required to undergo medical screening at the time of boarding the flight and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel.
All passengers on arrival in India will be medically screened and would have to download and register on Arogya Setu app.
All passengers will need to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrival in India in quarantine facilities as per the protocols framed by Government of India.
Source: Twitter / Indian High Commission in Canberra
When will India resume international flights?
Meanwhile, international flights remain suspended in India.
In its latest travel advisory related to COVID-19, the Indian government has announced all international flights will remain banned till June 30, 2020.
While the flight ban has been extended by four weeks, the Civil Aviation authorities have not yet confirmed if international flights will resume thereafter.
The authorities have said the airlines will be informed in ‘due course’.
“It is reiterated that foreign airlines shall be suitably informed about the opening of their operations whether international to/from India in due course,” the official circular said.
India's Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri said the government was assessing the situation to determine resumption of international flights after they resumed limited inter & intra-state travel through rail and air in India.
He said several factors need to be addressed before opening India’s borders.
Mr Puri said, “Numerous citizens have been approaching us to restart international flights. Several factors need to be addressed. Many international destinations are not allowing incoming passenger traffic, except for their own citizens or diplomats.
“Within India, most international flights operate from the metros where travellers arrive from neighbouring cities & states. Our metro cities were under various degrees of lockdown which are beginning to be lifted. Some of them are still allowing only limited flights to operate.
“MHA guidelines for lockdown 5.0 have further opened up inter & intra-state travel, will facilitate calibrated reopening of the sector. As we move towards the critical mass of 50-60% operation of domestic flights, our ability to resume international operations will also improve.”
Over 1500 Indians stuck in Australia returned to India via special flights arranged by the Indian government in May.
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