How Operation Ajay is Evacuating Indians from Tel Aviv Amid Tensions: Air India and SpiceJet Conduct Special Flights

Special Flights Operated by Air India and SpiceJet for Indian Nationals in Tel Aviv

In response to the escalating tensions due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Air India and SpiceJet operated special flights to bring back Indians from Tel Aviv on Saturday. These chartered flights are part of Operation Ajay, a government initiative aimed at facilitating the safe return of Indian citizens from Israel.

Key Points:

1. Flight Operations: Air India and SpiceJet will each operate one flight to Tel Aviv on Saturday to assist in the repatriation of Indian nationals. Air India’s flight will depart from the national capital, while SpiceJet’s flight will depart from Amritsar.
2. Return to Delhi: Both flights are expected to return and land at the Delhi airport on Sunday morning, according to officials.
3. Additional Flights: Air India is also scheduled to operate another flight to Tel Aviv on Sunday, underlining the government’s commitment to facilitating the safe return of its citizens from the region.
4. SpiceJet’s Airbus A340: SpiceJet deployed an Airbus A340 for the Tel Aviv repatriation mission. The flight, identified as SG9995, departed from Amritsar and landed in Tel Aviv. The aircraft, YR-LRD, is a 16.5-year-old airframe with a history of serving various carriers.
5. Repatriation Efforts: This initiative represents a part of the global efforts to repatriate citizens during times of crisis. Governments worldwide have been chartering flights and utilizing their own transport aircraft to ensure the safe return of their nationals from affected regions.

The special flights operated by Air India and SpiceJet aim to provide a secure and efficient means for Indian citizens in Tel Aviv to return to their home country amid the ongoing conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Special Flights to Evacuate Indians from Tel Aviv

1. Why are Air India and SpiceJet operating special flights to Tel Aviv?

• Air India and SpiceJet are operating these special flights to evacuate Indian nationals from Tel Aviv due to escalating tensions resulting from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. As previously these 2 airlines had participated in various operations SpiceJet has joined in efforts to bring back stranded Indians from Sudan under the Central government’s ‘Operation Kaveri’ flight from Jeddah to Kochi on April 30, evacuating 184 stranded Indians, who were stuck in Sudan.

2. What is Operation Ajay?

• Operation Ajay is a government initiative launched to facilitate the safe return of Indian citizens who wish to come back from Israel during times of crisis or conflict.

3. Which routes are these special flights taking?

• Air India is operating a flight from the national capital to Tel Aviv, while SpiceJet is operating a flight from Amritsar to Tel Aviv.

4. When will these special flights return to India?

• Both special flights are expected to return and land at the Delhi airport on Sunday morning, following their operations in Tel Aviv.

5. Are there additional flights planned for repatriation?

• Yes, Air India is scheduled to operate another flight to Tel Aviv on Sunday, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of Indian citizens from the region.

6. Why did SpiceJet use an Airbus A340 for this mission?

• SpiceJet deployed an Airbus A340 for this repatriation mission to accommodate a larger number of passengers. The Airbus A340 typically offers a higher capacity of economy seats, making it suitable for such operations.

7. How old is the Airbus A340 used by SpiceJet, and what is its history?

• The Airbus A340 used for this mission, registered as YR-LRD, is approximately 16.5 years old. It has served various carriers throughout its history, including Finnair, Air Belgium, Airhub Airlines, and Romanian carrier Legend Airlines.

8. Why are governments around the world conducting repatriation efforts during crises?

• Governments conduct repatriation efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens who may be stranded in regions affected by conflicts, natural disasters, or other crises. These efforts provide a means for citizens to return to their home country when regular travel options may be limited or unsafe.