Video: AI crew of repatriation flight from UAE receive warm welcome at Kerala airport

The crew of the second flight from Dubai that touched down in Kozhikode were greeted to a round of applause by airport officials.

As the first round of what is being termed as the world's largest repatriation mission of bringing back citizens stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic concluded successfully on Thursday night, the brave crew of flight received a thumping welcome by the airport ground staff when they landed in India.
Air India crew of the second flight from Dubai that touched down in Kozhikode just after 10.30pm were greeted to a round of applause by airport officials as well as police staff at the airport who escorted them out of the airport.

In a Facebook video posted on Air India Express FB account, the pilots as well as cabin crew of the flight are seen leaving the Kozhikode International Airport as several AI and airport staff members line up and clap for them as they exit the airport.
The FB post read: "Kudos!! It was a long day for the Kozhikode - Dubai - Kozhikode flight but the applause our crew received upon their arrival, as they walked out through the gates of the airport, were rejuvenating. We are honoured to be a part of this great mission, Vande Bharat! Cheers to our team, who took part in this operation!

India on Thursday launched a massive repatriation operation for distressed citizens with two flights that carried 363 people from the UAE to Kochi and Kozhikode. Distressed passengers including medical cases, pregnant women, workers who suffered job losses were among the first to be in the return flight home.
All the air evacuation is being done under India's 'Vande Bharat Mission' and as announced these are 64 ferry services which will be operated from May 7-13 and is billed as one of the biggest air evacuation missions by any country. The Indian repatriation, billed the largest civilian operation in the world, will continue for two weeks.