Combating coronavirus: Indians with tickets start counting hours for evacuation flights

Abu Dhabi - Passengers will depart by 4.15pm on Thursday through Terminal 3 of Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Hundreds of stranded Indians in the UAE are relieved as they will be able to leave onboard special flights on Thursday.
Jaimson Pappachan, an expat for 27 years and his wife and child will be on the first flight from Abu Dhabi to Kochi. Pappachan had quit his job to tend to his ailing parents. And with 24 hours to go, he managed to get tickets booked.
"I received a call from the Indian Embassy on Tuesday and booked our tickets at Air India Express office on Wednesday. Now, I am busy moving our stuff through cargo."
It helped Pappachan that he was already prepared to leave after resigning the job few months back.
"My parents are aged and not keeping well. So, I quit my job. I also took transfer certificate for my child from school. I had booked tickets for April but had to cancel it because of the Covid-19 travel restrictions. For more than a month, we are all following #StayHome but without any job. So, this is very timely relief."
Another expat, 27-year-old Shaheer Ibrahim, lost his job and was in dire straits.
"I worked with a consultancy firm. I lost my job in March and it was a struggle ever since. I was in my room and in quarantine with other roommates. I have paid Dh725 for airfare. I have been asked to reach airport by noon. I have also received the self-declaration form. I have spent four years here. This is sad way to leave."
Thejjass Jyothilal has spent just eight months in Abu Dhabi when his company winded up their project.
"I am placed on unpaid leave. There is no point continuing here like this as I don't know for how long this slowdown in economy will continue. So, I am leaving but will return as my visa is valid. Hopefully, situation will improve in few months."

Passengers will depart by 4.15pm on Thursday through Terminal 3 of Abu Dhabi International Airport. There are still some 40 passengers, who continue on waiting list for Thursday's flight.

• Dubai
• India