5,500 Americans stranded across India brought back to the US.
After a short pause amid dwindling demand for repatriation flights from Americans stranded in India due to coronavirus crisis, the US is planning to resume special chartered flights for its citizens next week.
“We are working to arrange additional special chartered flights for US persons departing India in the coming weeks,” the US embassy in New Delhi said in its latest advisory issued Tuesday.
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The US Embassy and Consulates in India have to date repatriated approximately 5,500 travelers from across India amid the world’s largest lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The embassy said it anticipates the earliest flights will commence next week and will again depart from Mumbai and New Delhi to Atlanta and San Francisco.
“In order to assess ongoing demand and determine what degree of assistance may be needed as the authorities lift lock-down restrictions,” the embassy requested all US citizens still interested in departing India on a US government-facilitated flight to register.
READ: Covid-19: Stranded Americans in India reluctant to return (April 29, 2020)
Noting that some of the data requested was slightly different from previous registrations, the embassy asked interested travelers to fill out this form: https://tinyurl.com/uscit-india, even if they have previously registered, emailed, or otherwise contacted the embassy.
The advisory asked travelers not to call the Embassy or Consulates to confirm flight details saying it will e-mail them if they are confirmed for a seat on a new flight.
The embassy reminded passengers that this flight is not free. All passengers will need to reimburse the US government for the cost of the flight.
Previous flights have cost between $2,000 and $2,500 per person. A legal document, called a promissory note, for the full cost of the flight must be signed by each adult passenger before boarding.
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However, payment is not required at the time of the flight. Passengers would be responsible for any arrangements or costs (including lodging and travel to onward destinations) beyond San Francisco or Atlanta.
The exact departure time and routing of these chartered flights are subject to change, the embassy said.
It also advised passengers not to appear at the airport unless they receive an email from the US Mission in India confirming their flight.
Only US persons with confirmations from the US Mission to India will be allowed to board the flights, it said.
Covid-19: No India-US repatriation flights may be available from next week