IndiGo Operates Evacuation Flights from War-Torn Sudan to Bring Stranded Citizens Home
Indian airline IndiGo is participating in ‘Operation Kaveri’, launched by India on April 24, to rescue its citizens from conflict zones in Sudan. IndiGo will operate two flights from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Delhi and Bengaluru on April 28 and April 30 respectively, to bring back over 450 citizens. The airline’s statement mentioned that it is operating these flights with A321 aircraft and is closely liaising with the government to offer support for more such evacuation flights.
As soldiers loyal to Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary Rapid Support Soldiers (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo continue fighting, the Indian government launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ to rescue its citizens from conflict zones in Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to Jeddah.
According to the Indian embassy in Khartoum, there were around 2,800 Indian nationals in Sudan along with a settled Indian community of around 1,200 people who have been in the country for nearly 150 years.
The airline industry plays a crucial role in evacuating citizens from crisis zones. The pandemic has further underscored the importance of quick and efficient repatriation of stranded citizens in times of crisis.
Re-reported from the story originally published in Hindustan Times
