Air India flight scheduled to repatriate Indians stranded in Sri Lanka

A special Air India flight (AI 0276) from Colombo to Mumbai has been scheduled on May 29 to repatriate Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis situation, Indian High Commission in Colombo said. The initiative is part of the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ undertaking - the largest ever evacuation of stranded Indian nationals across the world to India.

The High Commission said based on the registrations received by the High Commission of India, a passenger manifest will be prepared for this flight.  Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of visa, people with medical emergency/ pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students as stated in the Standard Operating Procedure issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, for movement of Stranded Indian Nationals dated 05 May, 2020.

Accordingly, information regarding this flight will be updated on the High Commission of India website. “As the High Commission of India, Colombo has received a large number of repatriation requests from Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka, only some of the registered people would be accommodated on this flight that has been scheduled.” Short-listed passengers for this flight will be informed through email by the High Commission of India.