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Govt directs A-I, IA to stand in
readiness to evacuate Indians

February 11, 2003 17:21 IST

With war clouds hovering over Iraq, the government on Tuesday directed both Air-India and Indian Airlines to stand in readiness to evacuate over 50,000 Indians working in Kuwait on a short notice.

During Iraq's invasion of Kuwait a decade ago, Air-India had carried out a massive operation to evacuate Indians back home.

While Air-India plans to operate one Boeing 747-400, one 747-Combi and two A310s, the Indian Airlines will operate about 11 flights a day using two A-300s and three A-320s.

The target for Indian Airlines is to carry about 2,000 passengers per day and for Air-India about 1,500 passengers.