Private airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet on Monday joined the Indian government's mission Operation Ganga to evacuate Indian nationals stranded in war-torn Ukraine and operate flights to Romania and Hungary.
IndiGo said it will operate two evacuation flights using A-321 aircraft from Delhi to Bucharest in Romania, and Budapest in Hungary via Istanbul.
“We are closely liaising with the government to offer our support for more such evacuations flights. IndiGo stands committed to the citizens of India and will continue to contribute to the country in every possible way,” said the largest domestic airline operator in a statement.
IndiGo sent 6E 8341 from Delhi to Budapest and the return flight 6E 8386 is expected to depart tonight from Budapest and arrive in Delhi on Tuesday at 10.55 am. IndiGo's second evacuation flight 6E 9430 has also left Delhi, and returned to the capital on Tuesday at 10.30 am.
SpiceJet also announced a special evacuation flight to Budapest, which left Delhi around 5 pm, and the Boeing 737 Max will return to Delhi on March 2 morning via Kutaisi, Georgia. “SpiceJet is planning to operate more evacuation flights and is in discussion with the concerned authorities,” the airline said.
Air India’s sister airline, Air India Express also joined the mission and announced that it will operate the special evacuation flight via Kuwait on the return journey.
“Flight IX 1201 Mumbai- Bucharest departed at 1: 50 pm. scheduled arrival at Bucharest at 6:15 PM local time. We intend to carry 182 passengers on Bucharest - Mumbai likely to depart Bucharest at 7:15 pm (local time). The flight will have a stopover at Kuwait for refuelling and arrive at Mumbai at 9:30 am tomorrow (Tuesday).” an airline spokesperson said.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson on Monday said that India has by Feb 28 evacuated 1,400 Indian citizens through six flights from Ukraine, which has been battling an invasion from Russia from the eastern and northern region, targetting capital Kyiv and Kharkiv, the second-largest Ukrainian city.
An estimated 16,000 to 20,000 students study in various Ukrainian state medical universities and are stranded. Indian advisory to the citizens in Ukraine asked them to move towards the western borders of Ukraine.
