The Hindu Business Line : Gulf flights to India operating as usual

WITH the launch of US attacks on Iraq, major airlines operating out of the Gulf region to the Indian sub-continent are now in a state of alert, but airline officials said that operations are normal as of now and it is "business as usual".

Airlines have laid out comprehensive contingency plans and are monitoring the situation on an hourly basis. Officials said that they were ready to operate additional flights to carry passengers in the event of a dire emergency resulting in the need to evacuate thousands of people from States close to the conflict zone.

Indian Airlines has been operating additional flights out of Kuwait since Wednesday and is prepared to increase operations if required.

Mr R.C. Kathuria, Regional Manager, Indian Airlines, told Business Line that the airline had so far not heard of closure of airports or airspace in the region and was in a state of preparedness for any emergency.

The airline operated one additional flight out of Kuwait to Kochi on Wednesday and has laid out plans to operate an extra flight from Kuwait to Goa and Kochi on Thursday night via Mumbai, he added. Another flight could also be operated on Friday.

The official also indicated that mostly families were being sent back home at this point and there was no big rush for tickets or the need to operate several additional flights.

In the eventuality of closure of airports or air space, the respective Governments would have to look into the matter to ensure that airlines are able to operate flights to evacuate passengers, it is learnt.

Once evacuation begins, it is up to the Indian Government to offer free flights for returnees in view of an emergency situation. Thousands of Indians reside in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which are close to the Iraqi border. There is no immediate danger for residents in other Gulf States such as the UAE and Muscat at this stage of the war.

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