In addition to the service on June 7, 2020 from Auckland
Venkat Raman
June 1, 2020
The Indian High Commission has just announced that the Indian government will operate five more flights to carry back home Indian nationals stranded in New Zealand.
These would be in addition to the first flight scheduled to depart Auckland at 4 am for Delhi on Sunday, June 7, 2020.
This non-scheduled service, being operated by Air India, will also carry selected New Zealand citizens and permanent residents held up in India prior to the lockdown periods announced by the two respective governments.
Indian Nationals holding Indian passports will be considered on priority and other criteria.
Coordinated efforts succeed
Indian High Commission Second Secretary Paramjeet Singh said that the additional five flights are in response to the representation of a large number of Indian nationals waiting to return home from New Zealand to various places in India.
“We have been working with the concerned officials for several weeks now to make these flights possible. We are pleased that we are able to repatriate our people back to their homes,” he said.
Indian High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi told an Indian television news channel last week that there were about 2000 Indian nationals stranded in New Zealand and that his Mission was coordinating efforts with the Indian government to organise more flights.
Following is the schedule:
Sunday, June 7, 2010: Auckland-Delhi at 4 am (0400 hrs)
Wednesday, June 17, 2020: Auckland-Delhi-Chandigarh at 4 am (0400 hrs)
Saturday, June 20, 2020: Auckland-Delhi-Ahmedabad at 1130 am (1130 hrs)
Wednesday, June 24, 2020: Auckland-Delhi-Hyderabad-Bengaluru at 4 am (0400 hrs)
Sunday, June 28, 2020: Auckland-Mumbai at 4 am (0400 hrs)
Wednesday, July 1, 2020: Auckland-Delhi-Trivandrum-Chennai at 4 pm (1600 hrs)
Some requirements
Passengers from New Zealand will be selected by the Indian High Commission based on priorities and criteria.
We understand that passengers should be at the Auckland International Airport at least four hours prior to departure of each flight. However, please await details from the Indian High Commission.
The cost of local travel, accommodation and other arrangements should be borne by the passengers. Terms, conditions, quarantine regulations, health procedures in New Zealand and India will apply to all travellers.
Please follow updates on the Indian High Commission Wellington Facebook page since schedules including dates of departure, times and other details are subject to change.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents stranded in India who are keen to return to this country must register on the New Zealand government website www.safetravel.govt.nz but their travel will be subject to various approvals and finalisation by the New Zealand High Commission in Delhi.
