PIB News Update: 403 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan in domestic sector by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. 235 of these flights have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. Lifeline Udan flights cover distance of over 3,97, 632 km to deliver essential and medical supplies of around 748.68 tons till 27th April 2020 for people across the country. Lifeline Udan flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19.
Private Operators SpiceJet, Blue Dart, Indigo and Vistara are operating cargo flights on a commercial basis. Spicejet operated 633 cargo flights till 27th April 2020 covering a distance of 11,09, 028 km and carrying 4,637 tons of cargo. Out of these, 228 were international cargo flights. Blue Dart operated 219 cargo flights covering a distance of 2,38,928 km and carrying 3,636tons of cargo till 27th April 2020. Out of these, 10 were international cargo flights. Indigo has operated 50 cargo flights till 27th April 2020 covering a distance of 77,996 km and carrying around 185 tons of cargo and including 17 international flights. This also includes medical supplies carried free of cost for the government. Vistara has operated 14 cargo flights till 27th April 2020 covering a distance of 20,466 km and carrying around 113 tons of cargo.
In international Sector, a cargo air-bridge was established with East Asia for transportation of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and Covid-19 relief material. The quantity of medical cargo brought in by Air India is 609 tons. In addition to the above, Blue Dart has uplifted around 109 tons of medical supplies from Guangzhou from 14th April to 27th April 2020. Blue Dart has uplifted 5 tons of medical cargo from Shanghai on 25th April 2020. Spicejet has uplifted 140 tons of medical supplies from Shanghai upto 27th April 2020 and 13 tons medical supplies from Hong Kong and Singapore upto 25th April 2020.