India: Explores Alternate To Bring Back Indians As Kyiv Closes Airspace
New Delhi, Feb 24: The government has touch-based with private carriers to explore the possibility of operating flights from countries on the western border of Ukraine to bring back Indian students stranded in the crisis-hit country, two persons familiar with the development told UNI.
“We had been asked about our plans to operate flights to and from Ukraine but today the airspace was closed. We will respond after assessing the overall situation to operate flights,” said an airline official.
STIC Travels, General Sales Agent (GSA) of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) said that they have been flooded with queries from parents and relatives of students stuck in Ukraine amid fears of uncertainty gripping the country following Russian military action in the country.
Sources said that one of the plans being discussed by the government is to ask Indians in Ukraine to move towards the Western border country and then flying them to India from there. Accordingly, Indians could be asked to reach Poland, Moldova or Romania and then through special flights be brought back to India.
Indian embassy in Kyiv today issued an advisory asking Indians to maintain calm and remain safe. It has advised those travelling to Kyiv to return to their respective cities temporarily especially towards safe places along Western border countries.
“The present situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain. Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it your homes, hostels, accommodations or in transit,” it said. “All those who are travelling to Kyiv, including those travelling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries,” it further advised.
With situation worsening in Ukraine following military operations launched by Russia, Kyiv airspace was closed today. This forced Air India to recall its flight headed towards Kyiv.
