India Launches Major Air Repatriation Drive for Citizens Stranded in West Asia
In a significant national effort, India is actively working to bring back thousands of its citizens who have been unable to return home from various West Asian countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, since February 28. This extensive repatriation operation involves a carefully planned combination of both charter and scheduled flights, primarily originating from accessible airspace points such as Saudi Arabia and Muscat.
A Coordinated Strategy for Evacuation Flights
With regular scheduled flight services facing disruptions, particularly in regions like the UAE, airports including Dubai's two main international hubs, are now prioritizing and allocating slots for charter flights. To maximize these opportunities, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday urged all Indian airlines and non-scheduled flight operators to secure as many available slots as possible. This push has already led to substantial plans, with Indian carriers collectively scheduling 58 flights for March 4 alone. This includes a notable contribution of 30 flights by IndiGo and 23 by the Air India group.
Ensuring Fair Practices: DGCA's Stance on Airfares
During a crucial meeting convened by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, a strict directive was issued to all participating airlines and non-scheduled operators. Officials confirmed that these carriers have been explicitly warned against any arbitrary increase in airfares. Furthermore, to protect passengers already holding tickets, the DGCA mandated that no additional fare difference should be charged if stranded individuals are traveling on the same airline they originally booked with.
High-Level Government Oversight and Planning
This urgent repatriation initiative follows a comprehensive review by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) concerning the escalating crisis in West Asia. The review delved into various critical aspects, including the safe evacuation of Indian nationals and the broader implications for fuel supply chains and maritime shipping. Senior government officials from multiple ministries, including Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha, along with representatives from the home, external affairs, defense, petroleum, and shipping departments, were present at this pivotal discussion.
Working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Aviation Secretary Sinha and DGCA chief Kidwai have meticulously developed a flexible repatriation plan. This strategy is designed to adapt swiftly to the evolving situation on the ground, with airlines committed to providing daily morning and evening updates on secured charter slots from the UAE, in addition to their scheduled services to Saudi Arabia and Muscat.
Expanding Air Operations and Aircraft Deployment
The operational phase has already seen significant activity. On Tuesday evening, one of the first approved private jet movements brought prominent Indian business leaders from Dubai World Central (Dubai's secondary airport) to Delhi. This particular Indian-registered Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft had to navigate a longer route, carefully avoiding Pakistan's airspace.
Major Indian carriers are bolstering their fleets for the mission:
- Air India has begun deploying widebody aircraft, including Boeing 777s and B787s, from Delhi and Mumbai to key destinations like Jeddah and Dubai. These flights are anticipated to operate at full capacity on their return sectors, bringing back citizens.
- IndiGo has successfully operated flights to Jeddah and Muscat and is actively working on initiating services to various stations within the UAE.
- Other airlines such as Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air have also commenced flight operations to the region, contributing significantly to the overall effort.
Future Outlook: Scaling Up Recovery Efforts
Officials have outlined that the immediate priority within West Asia is the recovery of airline crew members and aircraft that may have been temporarily grounded. Once this initial phase is complete, the focus will shift to significantly scaling up the evacuation and passenger recovery flights. These operations will primarily channel through strategic airports like Jeddah, Muscat, and other accessible hubs in the region, ensuring a systematic and efficient return for all stranded individuals.
