Three more Indian airlines — Indigo, SpiceJet and Air India Express — have joined “Operation Ganga” mission from Hungarian capital Budapest and Romania's Bucharest to bring back stranded Indians safely amid the Ukraine crisis.
In a related development, the Embassy of India in Ukraine issued a new advisory to Indian nationals advising them to make their way to the railway station for onward journeys to western parts as weekend curfew was lifted in Kyiv "Weekend curfew lifted in Kyiv. All students are advised to make their way to the railway station for onward journey to western parts. Ukraine Railways is putting special trains for evacuations." it reads.
As many as 489 Indian nationals returned on Monday from Bucharest and Budapest. So far, Tata Group-owned Air India has evacuated 1,396 Indian nationals in six evacuation flights till now. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi welcomed the returnees from the sixth evacuation flight at the Delhi airport.
SpiceJet said Boeing 737 MAX aircraft has departed from Delhi on Monday evening. The aircraft will fly to Budapest from Delhi and the return flight will operate via Kutaisi, Georgia. The airline said that it is planning to operate more evacuation flights and is in discussion with the authorities concerned.
IndiGo said it is operating two evacuation flights using A321 aircraft to bring back Indian citizens safely, following the crisis in Ukraine. Both the flights will land in Delhi on Tuesday, it noted. "These flights are being operated from Delhi to Bucharest in Romania and Budapest in Hungary via Istanbul, Monday, as part of the Indian government's Operation Ganga mission," it mentioned. India's largest airline said it is closely liaising with the government to offer its support for more such evacuations flights. The reason for the revision in schedule could not be immediately ascertained.
Air India Express also joined Operation Ganga as its Mumbai- Bucharest plane departed at 1: 50 pm and it will carry 182 passengers on Bucharest - Mumbai flight expected to land on Tuesday 9.30 am."The flight will have a stopover at Kuwait for refuelling. It will land in Mumbai at 9:30 am on Tuesday," it added.
“A large crowd can be expected at the railway stations, therefore, it is advised that all Indian students remain patient, composed and especially not to exhibit aggressive behaviours while at the railway stations,” as per the second advisory.
It also alerted students for the possible delay in trains’ schedule, even cancellation at times and long queues. It guided the Indian students to carry their passport, sufficient cash, ready to eat meals, easily accessible winter clothing and only essential items, to ensure easy mobility.
“Be mindful of your belongings at all times. Ukrainians both civilians and authorities have been remarkably supportive in facilitating evacuation efforts of Indian citizens, especially considering these critical and dangerous times. You are all requested to respect this sentiment,” the statement said.
India on Saturday began evacuation of its citizens from Romania and Hungary — countries sharing land borders with Ukraine — as the Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 24 when the military offensive began. Around 14,000 Indians, mainly college students, are currently stranded in Ukraine.