Air India special flight leaves for Ukraine to bring back Indians

An Air India Boeing 787 jet left for Ukraine on Tuesday morning to bring back Indian nationals remaining in the European country, sources reported.

India had issued advisories asking its nationals to leave Ukraine temporarily given the risk of conflict with Russia. The Boeing 787 can carry over 200 passengers. The special flight is scheduled to return with the NRIs to Delhi on Tuesday night. Flight tracking websites show flight AI1947 left for Ukraine at 7.36am from Delhi.

Air India had announced on February 18 that it would operate three flights to the Boryspil International Airport near Kyiv on February 22, 24 and 26. Bookings have been open through Air India booking offices, website, call centre and travel agents.

According to an official document in 2020, Ukraine had a small but vibrant Indian community and there were about 18,000 Indian students studying in that country.

On February 17, the ministry of civil aviation removed restrictions under the 'air bubble' arrangement with Ukraine. This would allow for any number of flights, including charter services, between the two countries.