UK announces 17 more charter flights to rescue stranded Brits in India

After the USA and Canada, now the British Government has also decided to continue operating special chartered flights from seven Indian cities, including Amritsar, to clear its stranded nationals. The flights will operate between April 20 and 27. Canada is also operating another special flight on April 19. Seventeen more charter flights from India, with a total capacity of around 4000 passengers, will bring home many more British nationals in India who have been waiting for flights. Details of the flights are as follows:

• From Ahmedabad to London on 20, 22, 24, 26 April;
• From Amritsar to London on 21, 23, 25 and 27 April;
• From Bangalore (via Ahmedabad) to London on 23 April;
• From Delhi to London on 21, 23, 25 and 27 April;
• From Goa to London on 20, 22 and 24 April;
• From Mumbai to London on 26 April.

People who are most vulnerable will be prioritised for seats on these flights which will bring the total number of chartered flights run by the UK Government from India to 38. Given the number of people who have already registered for a flight, the majority of seats are likely to be allocated to people who are already on waitlists, having registered via the CTM website. UK Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “We know this is a difficult time for British travellers and there is great demand for these flights.  This is a huge and logistically-complex operation, and we are working tirelessly with the Indian Government and state authorities to help more British travellers get home.” Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said: “There will be 17 more charter flights next week to take British travellers back to the UK – on top of the 21 flights announced previously. We are working around the clock to arrange additional flights from locations where we know large numbers are still stranded and are extremely grateful for the support we are receiving from the Government of India and local authorities.” People who have already registered for the flights do not need to take any further action at this stage. If they have secured a seat, they will be contacted directly by CTM with further information about their flight. Those who wish to register for a flight but haven’t already should visit the India Travel Advice Post to do so. The 21 UK Government charter flights that were announced previously are operating from 8-20 April and are expected to help over 5,000 British nationals return home. Also read | Coronavirus: US records 4,591 deaths in the last 24 hours The charter flights are for UK travellers who normally reside in the UK and their direct dependants. A number of seats will be reserved for those deemed vulnerable. To book flights and register their details, British nationals should use the city-specific webpages listed on the India Travel Advice page. Movement within India is currently very restricted. Those who are eligible to fly will be sent information on how to get to airports and flight itineraries directly when their seat is confirmed.    Details regarding luggage allowance, flight costs and carriers will be available on the booking portal. The flights are expected to cost between £537 and £591. -PTC News