Air India flight lands 1-hour late; bringing back 120 passengers from Kabul as Taliban take control
AI 243, currently at Kabul airport, is waiting to refuel and take-off for Delhi. According to sources, the flight to Kabul had 40 passengers and it will return to Delhi with a full load of 162 passengers.
FollowAmid the rising tension in Afghanistan as Taliban has entered the capital, Air India flight has landed in Kabul to bring back diplomats and security officials posted at the Indian embassy in Kabul.
The Airbus A320 (VT-EXV) took off from Delhi at 12.43 pm and landed three hour twenty minutes later, as officials in Kabul’s air traffic control were not available to help the flight land.
According to a report on Hindustan Times, at one point, the pilot had to switch off the plane’s radar to prevent detection and the possibility of being targeted. An AI official said the flight was operated under the air bubble with Afghanistan.
The Indian Commercial Pilots Association, union of AI pilots, had last Tuesday volunteered to fly to Afghanistan to evacuate Indians stranded there. “(we) are ready to go beyond the call of duty to evacuate (fellow) Indians.. extend complete support and cooperation to evacuate (Indians) from Afghanistan," ICPA had written to Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia last Tuesday.
AI 243, currently at Kabul airport, is waiting to refuel and take-off for Delhi. According to sources, the flight to Kabul had 40 passengers and it will return to Delhi with a full load of 162 passengers.
The United States sent helicopters to evacuate its staff from its Kabul Embassy and reported has asked its staff to delete all sensitive information before leaving.
Germany and Italy too have lifted personnel from their respective Embassies in Kabul amid tense moments and drama in the high skies, as reported by news agencies.Â
