A special Air India flight successfully evacuated 205 people, including six infants, from Dhaka to New Delhi on Wednesday morning amid escalating political unrest in Bangladesh. The flight, chartered on short notice, marks a significant logistical achievement under challenging circumstances.

Emergency Evacuation Details

The special flight, operated with an A321 neo aircraft, departed for the Bangladesh capital late Tuesday night. Upon arrival in Dhaka, it returned with 199 adults and six infants. An official familiar with the operation stated that the flight took off from New Delhi without any passengers and faced substantial infrastructure challenges at Dhaka’s airport.

Scheduled Operations and Other Airlines

Air India is set to begin its scheduled operations with two daily flights from New Delhi to Dhaka starting Wednesday. On Tuesday, the airline canceled its morning flight but successfully operated the evening flight to Dhaka.

Other Indian carriers, Vistara and IndiGo, are also resuming their scheduled services to Dhaka. Vistara operates daily flights from Mumbai and three weekly flights from New Delhi to Dhaka. IndiGo typically operates one daily flight from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to Dhaka, along with two daily services from Kolkata. Both airlines had canceled their Tuesday flights to Dhaka.

Context of the Evacuation

The evacuation follows significant political upheaval in Bangladesh, where street protests over job quotas forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country. This turmoil has led to uncertainty and increased safety concerns for foreign nationals.

Indian High Commission Status

The return of non-essential staff and families from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was conducted voluntarily via commercial flights. Despite the evacuation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka remains operational, with all diplomats and essential staff continuing their duties, as per the sources.

“The High Commission of India in Dhaka continues to remain functional. Our diplomats and officials continue in Dhaka. Non-essential staff and families have returned this morning,” sources told media.

Helpline Information

For those seeking assistance, the High Commission has reiterated that all helplines remain active. The helpline numbers are as follows:

  • +8801958383679
  • +8801958383680
  • +8801937400591

This swift and efficient evacuation underscores India’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad, especially during times of crisis.