First two flights take off from Kerala to repatriate stranded Indians in UAE

Two Air India Express flights left Kerala for the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as India set in motion the exercise to evacuate its citizens stranded in the Gulf region due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

At least 340 passengers, mostly Keralites, including pregnant women, infants and those with medical emergencies, willbe among those to be brought back from Abu Dhabi and Dubai on board the two flights, expected to return to Kochi and Kozhikode airports in the state late Thursday night.

The flight to Kochi will take off from Abu Dhabi at 4.15 pm and reachthe destination at 9.40 pm, while the other to Kozhikode is scheduled for departure from Dubai at5 pm and arrive at 10.40 pm, official sources said.

In addition to the air evacuation, three naval ships, left for Maldives and UAE on Tuesday to bring back Indian citizens.

State Chief Secretary Tom Jose said only COVID-19 negative patients will be boarding the flights and still the returnees, barring pregnant women and children