588 Flights Operated Under Lifeline Udan To Aid Fight Against COVID19: Hardeep Singh Puri

Mumbai: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday that under Lifeline Udan 588 have been operated by Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force (IAF), and private carriers to maintain the supply of essential medical supplies in various parts of the country.

“Lifeline Udan has seen 588 flights so far and has carried over 940 tonnes of cargo. The cargo essentially covered COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits, PPEs, masks, gloves, medicines, and other accessories and cargo requisitioned by state and UT governments,” Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said.

He further added that Lifeline Udan received excellent support from state governments and other stakeholders.

India’s repatriation exercise ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ to bring stranded Indian nationals across the world is in its 3rd phase now. The minister said that more flights will be added in the 3rd and 4th phases of the mission.

“The government of India is planning for additional flights under Vande Bharat Mission to evacuate Indians. Under the third and fourth phase, 300 flights extra will be run by Air India,” Puri said.

He said that 750 odd flights are offered to Domestic Private Carriers and around 40-odd flights are already scheduled by the operators.

“Flights which may be operated by foreign carriers for Indians stranded in Latin America and some parts of Africa in collaboration with Air India,” he added.

So far under 2,75,000 Indian nationals are been brought back to the country. A total of 2,52,000 of stranded Indians were brought by Air India and other private airlines together under Vande Bharat Mission and rest were brought back via land and sea routes.

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