NEW DELHI: Indian corporates have started hiring charter flights to repatriate their Indian employees working overseas. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has operated among the first such flights after the government last week allowed companies, organisations and communities to charter flights to fly back Indians stuck in foreign countries. This company alone plans to bring back 500 of its employees and their families from the Gulf to India.
“We plan to charter 5-6 flights to repatriate around 500 team members and their families from the UAE to various destinations across India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal. The first such flight chartered by Malabar Gold & Diamonds left UAE on Thursday night. Operated by Air Arabia from Sharjah with 171 team members and their families including 25 children, the flight reached reached Calicut on Friday,” the company said in a statement.
Vipul, Consul General of India in Dubai, said: “There are several Indians in UAE who want to go back and I request them to have patience as the Government of India is taking necessary steps to gradually increase the number of flights to go back. I also appreciate government of Sharjah and Air Arabia for providing all facilities while maintaining all safety requirements.”
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Malabar Group’s executive director Abdul Salam K P said: “We gave priority to the elderly, team members with pre-existing health concerns, with family and those who have been terminated or have opted for extended leave to be with their families in India on these chartered flights.”
Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ managing director (international operations) Shamlal Ahamed said: “We wanted to provide a safe and speedy passage to our team members and their families during these difficult circumstances. This was made possible due to the combined effort and support we received from the team at Indian Consulate in Dubai.”