3,600 more stranded British travellers are set to return home
from India on 14 new flights chartered by the UK Government.
Once completed, these additional flights will bring the total
number of people flown to the UK from India on Government charter
flights to over 13,000.
Details of the flights are as follows:
· Amritsar to the UK on 28 April, 29 April, 30 April, 1 May, 2
May (x 2), 3 May, 4 May
· Ahmedabad to the UK on 28 April, 29 April, 1 May, 3 May, 4
May,
· Delhi to the UK on 30 April.
The Government has now chartered 52 flights from India to bring
stranded British travellers home.
There has been a huge demand for these flights, with seats now
being allocated to those already registered via the government’s
online booking portal - CTM.
Foreign Secretary
said:
“Travel to and from India is severely restricted and so we have
organised a series of charter flights.
“Through these 52 UK charter flights, we will have brought back
13,000 people and our staff in India will continue to support all
those UK nationals who need our help.”
Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord
(Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:
“We have already helped over 6,500 people return from India since
we began our charter flight programme, with a further 7,000 due
to return in the coming weeks.
“The 14 new flights announced today bring the total number of UK
government charter flights from India to 52.
“We are continuing to work around the clock to ensure all British
travellers in India are supported to come back to the UK if they
wish.”
Since the coronavirus outbreak began, the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office (FCO) has worked consistently with
governments, air carriers and travel companies to minimise
disruption and help British travellers return home safely –
supported with £75 million for special charter flights to
priority countries, focused on helping the most vulnerable
people.
More than 13,200 people have returned to the UK on 63 flights
organised by the FCO from 18 different countries and territories,
including over 700 from Pakistan, over 1,700 from South Africa
and over 1,200 from Peru.
--ENDS--
NOTES TO EDITORS:
· The charter flights are for British nationals who normally
reside in the UK and their direct dependants.
· Details regarding flights, luggage allowance and costs are
available on the India Travel Advice page.
· Seats on these flights are only available to those already
registered and on a waitlist.
· 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.
· The British High Commission continues to provide consular
support to any British nationals who remain in India. Consular
helpline numbers: New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100; Chennai: +91
(44) 42192151; Mumbai/Goa: +91 (22) 6650 2222.
