Air India evacuation flights from Australia start 21 May

Air India will come to the rescue of Indians stuck in Australia with flights starting from 21May.

Initially seven flights are planned, with three from Sydney and four from Melbourne, according to information received by Indian Link.

The first stop will be Delhi for all flights and with information at hand, two will fly to Amritsar, one each to Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Cochin and Hyderabad.

Flight details are:

21 May               Sydney            Delhi

22 May              Melbourne        Delhi      Amritsar

23 May              Sydney             Delhi      Amritsar

23 May              Melbourne        Delhi      Bangalore

25 May   Melbourne   Delhi      Cochin

25 May Sydney Delhi Ahmedabad

28May              Melbourne         Delhi      Hyderabad

The airfares are still being finalised but there is an expectation that the planes flying from India will bring Australians stuck in India and fly back with Indians stuck in Australia. This may help manage costs.

In a wide-ranging interview last week with Indian Link  Indian High Commissioner to Australia Gitesh Sarma confirmed that those Indian nationals stuck in Australia had to register on the High Commission’s website, and that those flying in to India will be quarantined for 14 days.

Air India has a long history of service to stranded Indians and has been involved in mercy missions in the Gulf but the current COVID-19 crisis is their biggest test yet.

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