Highlights
- Air India announces new Vande Bharat Mission flights between India and Australia
- South Australia suspends international flights until the end of the week
- At least 35,637 Australians have registered their interest to return home with DFAT
These special evacuation flights will depart from New Delhi to Sydney ferrying Australian citizens, permanent residents and exempt temporary visa holders, starting from 21 November 2020.
The details for booking and passenger capacity for these flights will be made available on the Air India website and their Twitter handle.
Here’s a schedule of flights that will operate from India to Australia: (as per Air India schedule)
18-Nov-20 AI 1302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20 (current phase)
21-Nov-20 AI 0302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
25-Nov-20 AI 1302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
28-Nov-20 AI 0302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
02-Dec-20 AI 1302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
05-Dec-20 AI 0302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
09-Dec-20 AI 1302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
12-Dec-20 AI 0302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
16-Dec-20 AI 1302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
19-Dec-20 AI 0302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
23-Dec-20 AI 1302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
26-Dec-20 AI 0302 DELHI 13:55 SYDNEY 08:20
At least 35,637 Australians have registered their interest to return home with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), of which nearly 10,000 remain stuck in India.
SBS Punjabi is aware of many such families grappling to secure seats on the only two return options available -Air India evacuation flights operating as part of VBM and the recently launched Qantas flights between New Delhi and Darwin under the Australian Government’s repatriation efforts.
'Securing a seat on Air India flights is like winning a lottery'
Air India announces new flights under phase 7 of the Indian government's Vande Bharat Mission. Source: SBS
Caught in this rut since March, Brisbane-man Umesh Parakh is trapped with his wife and two young children in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.
The 38-year-old migration agent said Air India flights are largely “non-existent” for families like his as most people do not even get to know when the bookings open and seats are sold.
“It's nothing short of winning a lottery to secure seats on one of these flights. As far as Qantas is concerned, passengers are shortlisted by DFAT itself based on their vulnerability,” he said.
Furthermore, South Australian Government’s decision to suspend international flights until the end of this week in the wake of new coronavirus cases in the state is also poised to add more chaos to the return plans of stranded Australian families desperate to return home in time for Christmas.
Mr Parakh said he anticipates that their woes would worsen if SA decides to prolong the new flight restrictions as this would further reduce overall quarantine spots in the country and their chances to return home before the end of this year.
“This obviously is an added problem as this could mean 600 less weekly spots, more pressure on states like NSW. This may further delay our return and would also mean that more people will strive for Air India flight tickets in this phase,” he added.
Repatriation flights from Australia to India:
The Indian Government has also announced repatriation flights for its nationals who are seeking to return home from Australia amidst ban on scheduled commercial flights that has been extended till November 30.
Here’s a schedule of flights that will operate from Australia to India:
20-Nov-20 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
23-Nov-20 AI 1301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
27-Nov-20 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
30-Nov-20 AI 1301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
04-Dec-20 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
07-Dec-20 AI 1301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
11-Dec-20 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
14-Dec-20 AI 1301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
18-Dec-20 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
21-Dec-20 AI 1301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
25-Dec-20 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
28-Dec-20 AI 1301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
01-Jan-21 AI 0301 SYDNEY 10:15 DELHI 18:05
So far, the Indian Government has facilitated the travel of more than 2.87 million people ever since the Vande Bharat Mission started on 6 May earlier this year.
Disclaimer: The above flight schedules are subject to change. Please monitor the Air India website and their social media handles for any change in circumstances.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
