COVID-19: Public sector operated 159 flights to ferry essential medical supplies

• Total cargo transported by Lifeline UDAN flights is around 248 tons during the COVID-19 lockdown. And 167 flights have covered 1,50,006 Km so far

• While Air India has operated 56 flights since March 26, Alliance Air has flown 46

New Delhi: The public sector in India has so far operated 159 flights during the COVID-19 lockdown period to ferry essential medical supplies across the length and breadth of India, fresh data released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday showed. During COVID-19 lockdown period, essential medical supplies, including consignments of ICMR, HLL, and others, are continuously being delivered across the country and since March 26, a total of 167 flights have been operated under Lifeline UDAN, the ministry said.

"The Ministry of Civil Aviation is also coordinating the delivery of cargo of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Textiles, Department of Posts etc so that the collective purpose of making the essential medical supplies to people in all parts of the country is served. Further, due safety protocols are followed at every stage, from collection of cargo to the entire process of transportation till the delivery at the destination," an official statement said.

Total cargo transported by Lifeline UDAN flights is around 248 tons during the COVID-19 lockdown. And 167 flights have covered 1,50,006  Km so far.

How many flights have been operated by each public sector entity?

While Air India has operated 56 flights since March 26, Alliance Air has flown 46 and the IAF (Indian Air Force) has flown 57. The total works out to be 159. Air India and IAF have collaborated primarily for Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, North-East and other island regions.

Air India lifted 3.76 tons of supplies to Colombo on April 8. The public sector airline will be operating dedicated scheduled cargo flights to other countries for uplifting of critical medical equipment as per the requirement.

Indigo and SpiceJet operated 8 flights under Lifeline UDAN

Private airlines Indigo and Spicejet have so far operated eight flights under Lifeline UDAN. In addition, Blue Dart, Spicejet and Indigo have been operating cargo flights on commercial basis. SpiceJet operated 220 cargo flights from 24 March – 8 April, covering a distance of 2,99,775 Kms and carrying 1805.6 Tons of cargo. Out of these, 61 were international cargo flights. Blue Dart operated 70 domestic cargo flights, covering a distance of 67,273 Kms and carrying 1,075 Tons of cargo from 25 March – 8 April.

Indigo has also operated 15 cargo flights between 3 – 8 April, covering a distance of 12,206 Kms and carrying 4.37 tons of cargo.