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Disasters bring out the best in people, and Indian airlines are no exception. Following the deadly earthquake in Nepal, all four Indian carriers operating to Kathmandu, Air India, IndiGo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet, are putting their best feet (or wings) forward, and pitching in to support the aid efforts directed towards the stricken Himalayan nation.
Additional flights
Indian carriers were amongst the first to commence flights once the green light was given at Kathmandu following the deadly quake. All four carriers are operating additional flights, along with the Indian armed forces, to evacuate people from Kathmandu.
Free transport of relief materials
All four airlines are transporting relief materials free of charge. SpiceJet and IndiGo have dedicated email addresses earthquakerelief@spicejet.com and IndiGoReach@goindigo.in for this effort. Air India and Jet Airways require organisations to contact them and coordinate.
No fee re-scheduling
All airlines are waiving the re-scheduling and/or cancellation fees for flights to and from Kathmandu for the short term.
Air India offers low fares
National carrier Air India is offering special one way fares of Rs 4,700 between Kathmandu and New Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi.
Support Rotary in their efforts
I urge readers of Bangalore Aviation to contribute to the relief efforts. Contact your nearest Rotary Club to see how you can help. Use the Club Finder on Rotary’s website to find your nearest Rotary Club.
Money is no barrier when there’s an emergency – that’s good to hear.
I spent over four hours last night on FlightRadar24 watching the queue of between 9 to 15 planes circle KTM for an average holding delay of 2-3 hours.
A <1 hour CCU-KTM flight took 4.5 hours.
Two flights from Kunming China (~2-3 hour flight) were holding station with flying time 6.75 hours each. That's on a 737!!! Imagine 7 hours on this plane – their tanks must have been bone dry when they finally landed.
Several Qatar planes diverted to CCU after circling 2 hours.
Fly Dubai checked for approx 3 hours before getting a spot.
Can you imagine the millions of dollars of fuel burned away in waste?
Surely there can be better coordination between airlines and source and destination airports so that flights takeoff only when there is a guaranteed landing spot available? All that money burned away could have been used for rescue & rebuilding efforts…
Appreciate this gesture of airlines. Was at KTM last year, felt really sad to see our little bro (Nepal) airport in such a bad state. It was monsoons & there was leakages in airport & some staff was wiping floor using cloth. Only a single runway means lot of delay between consecutive landing & take-offs. It was then I felt that AAI should take over Tribhovan airport if Govt of India & Nepal reach some agreement. And post earthquake it did showed how small airport can be a liability.