"Thanks to Indian Community & Deal with only approved IATA agencies for Charter/Repatriation flights": Fahed Al Baker

IIK Staff Reporter

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Al Tayer Travels of Al Baker Group with Luxury Travels sent 322 stranded Indians to Delhi in their Kuwait Airways charter flight from Kuwait. “I would like to thank the Indian community for their patience and trust on us as we were able to fly stranded Indians to Delhi in our first flight,” Mr Fahed Al Baker, Chairman of Al Baker group told IndiansinKuwait.com. It is not easy as each state issues different rules and changes it frequently. Therefore, we have to comply with different rules for different states and these causing delays in operation, Mr Fahad said.

“Our Mumbai flight is waiting for the state approval and most probably will fly on 3rd july instead of 30th June,” Mr Fahad said and apologized for the unforeseen delay . “Meanwhile, Chennai has imposed a prepaid quarantine condition, and this delayed our Chennai flight. Most of our passengers are labourer who lost their job here. This will create an additional financial burden to them, which I feel very sad about. We are negotiating with the state government for an exemption and hoping for clearance soon,” Mr Fahad said.

Also Hyderabad flight with Andhra Pradesh Domicile is expected to fly by 04th-July, waiting for Embassy NOC and State clearance. Thanks to APNRT for the coordination with Telangana Govt.and assurance to arrange all required logistics in Hyderabad Airport.

We had already sent one flight to Delhi. As we understand many stranded Indian expatriates want to return to Delhi and nearby states, we will be operating one more flight to Delhi, which is waiting for State clearance, Mr Fahad told.

Mr Fahad also warned the public to deal only with IATA approved travel agencies. “As the majority of the people wanting to go back to India are poor labourers who lost their job and money, I request them not to get trapped and to make sure that they are dealing with IATA approved agencies”. There are many brokers and freelancers who are trying to take advantage from the current situation,” Mr Fahad said. Passengers should ask the proposed flight no. from agencies and should make sure the agencies have approvals from airlines, he said. “I also request all agencies not to exploit passengers who are already distressed during the repatriation flights and share the correct information with passengers,” Fahad said. “In all our flights, we are giving 60 kg of luggage as we know the Indian expatriates are leaving Kuwait as they lost their job and wanted to carry all their belongings, Mr Fahad said.

Mr Fahad has thanked all Embassy officials and State Authorities for their support.

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