Dubai: Indian missions and airlines were awaiting official confirmation on the extension of the agreement for India-UAE special flights, even as another 123 flights to repatriate stranded Indians from the UAE were announced on Sunday.
As per the agreement announced by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation on July 9, UAE residents stuck in India could return on the departure leg of repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) that flies home stranded Indians in the UAE, from July 12 to 26.
UAE residents and citizens stranded in India could also fly back on the return leg of the journey on UAE carriers and private airlines from India providing chartered services during the 15 days of the special agreement.
However, with the deadline expiring on July 26, there was no official announcement about the extension of the agreement till 3.30pm, even as India announced a new schedule of flights under the next phase of VBM.
A senior official with Air India confirmed to Gulf News that 123 VBM flights (118 by Air India Express and five by Air India) have been announced as part of the fifth phase of the repatriation mission, running from August 1 to 15.
“The five Air India flights are scheduled during the first week of August while the 118 Air India Express flights are scheduled during the first fortnight of August,” he said.
However, the official said the airlines were yet to receive official instructions on the extension of the special flight agreement to fly back UAE residents stuck in India and hence could not make any commitment on India-UAE operations.
26/07/20 Sajila Saseendran/Gulf News
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As per the agreement announced by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation on July 9, UAE residents stuck in India could return on the departure leg of repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) that flies home stranded Indians in the UAE, from July 12 to 26.
UAE residents and citizens stranded in India could also fly back on the return leg of the journey on UAE carriers and private airlines from India providing chartered services during the 15 days of the special agreement.
However, with the deadline expiring on July 26, there was no official announcement about the extension of the agreement till 3.30pm, even as India announced a new schedule of flights under the next phase of VBM.
A senior official with Air India confirmed to Gulf News that 123 VBM flights (118 by Air India Express and five by Air India) have been announced as part of the fifth phase of the repatriation mission, running from August 1 to 15.
“The five Air India flights are scheduled during the first week of August while the 118 Air India Express flights are scheduled during the first fortnight of August,” he said.
However, the official said the airlines were yet to receive official instructions on the extension of the special flight agreement to fly back UAE residents stuck in India and hence could not make any commitment on India-UAE operations.
26/07/20 Sajila Saseendran/Gulf News
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