Highlights
- Air India and Qatar Airways are now accepting bookings to Australia
- Australian High Commission in India warns "there may be cancellations"
- Australians stranded in India claim they don't have enough money to book fresh tickets
The High Commission on Monday declared that the two airlines will accept bookings from Delhi and Mumbai, instilling hope in hundreds of Australians stranded abroad.
The High Commission, however, warned that while airlines and travel agents are accepting bookings, India may extend flight bans further, or there may be cancellations or limited flight options when the restrictions end.
‘We will not be able to bring everyone home’
The Australian government is urging its citizens and residents stranded abroad to consider commercial flight options, and “act quickly” if they are available.
“We do not have plans for assisted departures, such as those conducted to the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak, Wuhan in China and Japan,” Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said in her statement.
She added that “It may be necessary for some Australians to stay where they are overseas, and as far as practicable remain safe and comfortable, including by following the directions of local authorities.”
Natasha who is stuck with her husband in Vadodara in the western Indian state of Gujarat has already spent thousands out of her savings and cancelled her bookings thrice.
She has taken the High Commission’s recent announcement of airlines taking new bookings with a pinch of salt.
“We have spent over $16,000 on tickets. I and my husband were forced to cancel our tickets thrice due to rapidly changing travel restrictions.
“So, after three cancellations and spending thousands, we are nearly out of money and cannot afford to risk booking another flight in these uncertain times,” Natasha told SBS Punjabi.
Ms Natasha claimed that she has been trying for days to reach out to the airline for a refund for their previous bookings, but they haven’t heard from them so far.
A street in Vadodara in Gujarat in western India during Covid-19 lockdown. Source: Supplied
“The airlines are not being responsive. Air India is not answering our calls or emails.
“There are at least four hundred others who are stuck here and have been trying to make fresh bookings, but the economy ones are already sold out. Only business class are left,” added Ms Natasha.
Sydney-based Rolland Coelho, who is stuck in Pune, near Mumbai said he knows that flights are taking bookings, “but where’s the guarantee that they won’t cancel on us again.”
“When I spoke to the Consulate, they said they cannot give any guarantee if the flights would take off.
“So, you’re saying go and book, spend thousands, but there is no guarantee they would fly or give us refunds upon cancellations. Why can’t they arrange a rescue flight paid entirely by Australians who want to return home,” said Mr Coelho.
Air India on its website states that it's offering for passengers travelling between March 23 and April 30 to postpone any international or domestic bookings made to or from areas with a risk of exposure.
Representational image. Source: Wikimedia/mitrebuad
The national carrier's website states that “You (passengers) don’t even have to report to the airport, for rescheduling your flight till normalcy of operations is restored."
SBS Punjabi has contacted Air India for comment.
Perth-based Matthew James Chinery has just been released from a hospital in Goa after he tested negative for coronavirus.
Matthew James Chinery is stuck in Goa. Source: Suppplied
He said that while the news of flights accepting booking has come as a respite, travelling from Goa to Mumbai, would be another roadblock, given the strict lockdown.
“I will book the flight, but how will I reach Mumbai? It’s a 12-hour bus ride from Goa. I can only get there if the Goa airport opens as well. And neither is easy or possible until after the lockdown,” said Mr Chinery, who is currently “hidden in a halfway hotel.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has encouraged Australians in India to register with the High Commission by following .
Australians requiring urgent consular assistance should call DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 153 from Australia or +61 6261 3305 from overseas.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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