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Air India on mission mode to evacuate stranded Indians

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, May 12 - At a time when India, along with the rest of the world, is fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the Air India is embarking upon one of its biggest ever rescue missions called the Vande Bharat Mission to evacuate the stranded Indians from abroad.

In the first phase of the Vande Bharat Mission, which started on May 7 and will continue till May 15, the Air India is planning to evacuate more than 14,000 stranded Indians.

When contacted by The Assam Tribune, spokesman of Air India, Sameek Bhattacharya said that in the first phase of the Vande Bharat Mission, the Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express would operate 64 flights to bring back 14,800 stranded Indians from 12 countries � the United States of America, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Philippines, UAE and Malaysia. Of those 64 flights, 42 will be operated by the Air India and 24 by the Air India Express.

According to records available, 3908 stranded Indians were brought back by 23 flights. Bhattacharya said that at this time of crisis, the Air India mobilized all its resources to spread its wings to fly back the stranded Indians.

While carrying out the massive operation, all safety and hygiene protocol laid down by the Government and the Director General of Civil Aviation were strictly adhered to. The Air India left no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the passengers and its own crew in this sensitive evacuation mission, said Bhattacharya.

He also said that all necessary PPE, hazmat suits etc were provided and in-flight services were remodeled to ensure maximum safety of the passengers and the crew.

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