(a) whether the Union Government proposes to operate special chartered flights to help Indian citizens stranded due to non resumption of normal international flight operation and fear of loss of employment especially to Gulf countries and European nations if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Union Government has received requests from the Government of Kerala or other State Governments in this regard; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Union Government thereto?
The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)
(a), (b) and (c): The Union Government has received requests from the Government of Kerala and other State Governments for operation of repatriation flights for bringing back stranded Indian nationals. The Government of India has undertaken the Vande Bharat Mission which is aimed at repatriation of stranded and distressed Indian nationals in various parts of the world (including Gulf countries and European nations) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vande Bharat Mission consists of special repatriation flights operated by Indian carriers and chartered flights operated by both Indian and foreign carriers. As per information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), till 31.08.2020, more than 11 lakh Indians (excluding land border crossings) have returned to India under the Vande Bharat Mission.