Doha: First chartered flight from Doha to Goa is set to take off on July 6, 2020. The IndiGo Airline (6E 9853) will depart at 10:30 am and arrive at Dabolim International Airport, Goa at 4.40 pm. The flight is organized by Goan Welfare Association (GWA) in collaboration with Indian Cultural Centre (ICC – Apex body of Embassy of India, Qatar).
There were many people from Goa to be repatriated and were waiting from February end.
“The GWA in collaboration with ICC came forward to arrange chartered flight for the needy and deserving persons as an humanitarian service. Many Goans including people from neighbouring states like Karnataka and Maharashtra on short term visas, aged parents, pregnant women and students who came on visit are part of this stranded people,” a statement from GWA said.
GWA formed an Ad hoc Committee under the President, Simon D’Silva with the following members; Paul Fernandes, Deepshika Barretto, Joaquim Rodrigues, Janice Fernandes, Rajesh Rajiv Lolienkar, Bertha Rodrigues and also a small team based in Goa for arranging the flight and other necessary formalities.
Simon D’Silva said that the initiative was taken in mid-May but due to lack of passengers it took longer than expected. “This is a huge responsibility and lot of coordination is involved to make it a reality. The flight is now full and all set to take off with 172 passengers including an infant on 6th July 2020.”
On humanitarian ground, GWA gave 5 free tickets to distressed passengers. 7 tickets are refunded to the confirmed and paid passengers who could not make it to this flight. Airline does not provide food or beverages in the flight but GWA has sponsored 171 meal packets for all the passengers and additional 14 passengers are kept on waitlist.
D’Silva also said that hotel accommodation, transportation to neighbouring states with online entry passes and Covid 19 tests arrangement have been organized in coordination with the concerned authorities.
