COVID-19: UK plans 7 special flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Goa for stranded Britons

UK government on Sunday anunced first seven chartered flights next week to bring home British nationals stranded in India amidst international travel lockdown over coronavirus pandemic.

An estimated 35,000 British nationals are currently in India, out of whom over 20,000 have contacted British High Commission to say y wish to return to UK as soon as possible. A set of 113 of "most vulnerable" Britons were flown out of Goa on an Irish flight on Saturday.

special flights to London include three scheduled from Goa for next Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and two each from Mumbai and Delhi on Thursday and Saturday, with furr flights planned later.

British High Commission told its citizens to check government travel visory and visit booking portal for respective cities to reserve seats.

"We kw how worrying past few weeks have been for British nationals in India. I hope this anuncement will bring relief, especially to those in greatest need," said Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India.

"Due to large numbers of British travellers involved, scale of this operation is huge. UK government continues to work hard with our Indian counterparts in New Delhi and London to arrange a safe journey back for as many people as possible," she said.

High Commission in New Delhi h earlier issued authority letters for Britons to be able to produce as proof for local authorities in India to allow m access to rescue flights from different parts of India.

" UK is working around clock to support large numbers of British travellers who wish to return to UK from India and around world," said Lord Tariq Ahm, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) minister.

"In absence of commercial flights, se first charter flights from India should provide relief to some of our British travellers who are desperate to return home, especially for most vulnerable and those in greatest need," he said.

first set of chartered flights are for UK travellers who rmally reside in UK and ir direct dependents.

A number of seats will be reserved for those deemed vulnerable, with individuals in this group to be contacted directly. Details regarding lugg allowance, flight costs and carriers will be available on booking portal.

UK government has said that information on furr flights from or cities locations in India will follow shortly.

FCO said that it is ramping up efforts to bring home thousands of travellers stranded overseas by coronavirus with a new pack of extra flights and 10 ditional airlines joining its scheme to keep commercial routes open and get British people back to UK in line with its 75-million pounds rescue plan anunced earlier.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "Travellers are facing an unprecedented challenge on a global scale, and I kw people are understandably desperate to get back to ir homes and loved ones.

"We are committed to supporting Britons getting home eir through commercial routes we have helped keep open or through specially chartered flights. With more airlines signing up it should mean more flights available but also a fairer deal for travellers by providing more flexibility over tickets and costs".

Besides India, flights have been laid on from countries including Peru, Ghana, Tunisia and Algeria this week, with thousands more due to fly back from Ecuor, Bolivia, Ghana and Philippines over coming days.

number of airlines signed up to government's scheme to get Britons home w stands at 14 after 10 new airlines, including British Airways, rwegian, TUI and Ryanair, joined Virgin Atlantic, Titan, easyJet, and Jet2 which signed up earlier this week.

FCO is also working closely with cruise company Holland America to ensure flights are available over weekend to return passengers currently on Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships.

Earlier this week TUI, with FCO support, flew around 40 passengers from Marella Explorer cruise ship back to UK from Mexico.

"We continue to work with airlines round clock to reunite British citizens with ir families and loved ones. With more airlines pledging support, this huge operation becomes a little easier, speeding up process and helping ensure a greater number of people return home quickly and safely," said Grant Shapps, UK Transport Secretary.

FCO also confirmed on Sunday that its vice against all but essential travel will continue indefinitely amid coronavirus pandemic.

Where it is possible to get back to UK on commercial routes by any carrier, FCO says it continues to encour all British nationals to take such opportunities.

UK Department for Transport said it is working closely with airlines to bring those with pre-booked tickets home, eir with airline y booked with or on alternative routes where available.

This includes airlines allowing passengers to change tickets between carriers, where permissible, and offering m latest information and vice as situation changes. 

Im Credits: AP