New Delhi: Amid the escalation of tensions with Russia, an Air India aircraft flying to Ukraine to bring home the Indians is turning back for Delhi after Ukraine said it has closed its airspace.
The Air India flight decided to turn back to Delhi after a NOTAM, or notice to airmen, was sent to all flights heading to Ukraine, ANI reported.
This comes as thousands of Indians are waiting to fly back home from Ukraine amid a conflict with Russia.
Earlier at around 7:45 a.m., Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) carrying 182 Indian nationals, mostly students, landed at the Delhi airport.
“A special flight of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) landed at Delhi Airport from Kyiv, at 7:45 am today, with 182 Indian citizens, including students,” an official of Ukraine International Airlines in India told ANI on condition of anonymity.
The representatives of India’s Ukraine International Airlines expressed their delight that the first evacuation flight from Kiev in Ukraine operated successfully with the Indian nationals.
“Ukraine International Airline, the first special evacuation flight touched down today at 07:45 hours at Delhi Airport bringing in 182 Indian National mainly students studying in different universities in Ukraine,” ANI quoted Anju Wariah, the GSA representative of the UIA in India, as saying.
The GSA representative of the UIA in India also thanked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for allowing the special UIA aircraft to operate the evacuation flight.
“This has been possible with the support of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Indian Embassy beside the UIA team in both countries working round the clock,” Wariah said.
The parents are in constant touch with Ukraine based airlines and Air India for safe return of their children.
“We understand the concerns of the parents and our endeavour is to help and assist as many students studying there to come back home. There are four special evacuation flights that are scheduled in the next couple of days and we are working on more,” Wariah said.
Amid tension in the country, more flights are going to be operated from Ukraine (Kiev) for the Indian citizens in the coming days.