On Friday 10th April, the FCO in collaboration with the Indian government announced chartered flights for Britons stranded in Amritsar and Ahmedabad. Flights will repatriate Britons from Amristar to London on 13th, 17th, and 19th April. To make your booking visit here: https://etm.eventsair.com/uk-government-charter-india/fco-744-amritsar-charter/Site/Register
Whereas direct flights from Ahmedabad to London will operate on 13th and 15th April with another flight from Hyderabad via Ahmedabad to London scheduled on 17th April. Visit here to book your seat: https://etm.eventsair.com/uk-government-charter-india/fco-835-charter-ahmedabad/Site/Register
Assembly Member Navin Shah and councillor Rekha Shah who have been stranded in India after visiting the country for a family funeral have welcomed the UK government's recent decision. In a statement to Asian Voice, Navin Shah said,
"We are pleased to have received confirmation of booking on Virgin Airlines flight on 12th April to Mumbai. Can barely wait to get home and be (remotely) united with our family and friends. Home Sweet Home,"
The announcement follows after hundreds of thousands of Britons stranded in India due to coronavirus lockdown appealed to the UK government to bring them home. From running out of their prescribed NHS medicines to shortage of food supply and in some instances finding themselves being forced to evacuate their hotel premises, these British nationals had no other resort but to return home even under these difficult circumstances.
Government officials have confirmed that it is their responsibility to ensure that those Britons stranded in interiors and other districts or villages of the states will be brought to the central airport hubs. The foreign office is co-ordinating this procedure with the assistance of Indian central government, local state governments, and police forces especially as reports indicate that most Indian states would extend their lockdown beyond 14th April to until the end of the month.
Officials have not yet provided a total number of passengers that can repatriated through these flights considering the bookings have only recently opened. However, they estimate that each flight will be able to fly out 200 passengers or more. Preference would be given to the elderly, disabled and those suffering from other illnesses. Proper testing would be done before the boarding process and PPE will be provided to everyone on the flight.
