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BA runs 65 rescue flights to bring Brits home

Thousands of Britons UK stranded in India as a result of the Covid-19 crisis are being flown back to the UK by British Airways this week.

The airline has already run 65 rescue flights, which have either operated or are planned to operate in the coming days from destinations across the globe.

This is through agreements with travel firms including cruise companies and national authorities, as well as part of a continued effort with the Foreign Office to bring people home from around the world.

The airline is also carrying hundreds of tonnes of essential supplies including medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the UK through IAG Cargo.

More flights from India to the UK are continuing this week.

The airline is serving 11 airports across India with special flights over two weeks.

Flights are taking off from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The airline has also extended its operation to serve additional cities, including Goa, Amritsar, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

The repatriation effort has been a collaboration between the UK and Indian government authorities, BA and airports teams in both countries.

BA chairman and chief executive Alex Cruz said: “It is an honour to support the government’s repatriation efforts and keep a small fleet of aircraft flying to bring stranded Britons back to the UK.

“When families step foot on board our aircraft and tell us how emotional it feels to be coming home, it reminds us why the job we are doing is still so important.

“We are hugely proud of our colleagues who continue to work with such dedication and commitment through this crisis to fly people and essential supplies across the world.”

Foreign Office minister for South Asia, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:  “We know this is a difficult time for British travellers in India and we are pleased to have partnered with airlines, including British Airways, to get them home.

“This is a huge and logistically-complex operation, and we are working tirelessly with the Indian government and state authorities to help more British travellers get home.”

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