The FIRST Jazeera Airways Flight carrying 165 Indian Repatriates from Kuwait-Mangaluru Lands at MIA

The FIRST Jazeera Airways Flight carrying 165 Indian Repatriates from Kuwait-Mangaluru Lands at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) on Wednesday, 17 June 2020 at 5.45 pm

Mangaluru: Even though there have been a couple of flights coming from Dubai to Mangaluru carrying Indian repatriates recently, but today’s Charter flight from Kuwait to Mangaluru was the FIRST one to bring 165 Indian repatriates, mainly Kannadigas. The Jazeera Airways which flew from Kuwait Airport at 10 am (Kuwait time) reached Mangaluru International Airport at 5:45 pm. Among the 160 passengers on board, the body of Sathish Kochu Shetty, aged 46, hailing from Padil-Mangaluru, who died in a fire accident at an Oil Refinery Company in Kuwait on 14 June 2020 had also arrived.

PRIOR TO BOARDING FLIGHT/DEPARTURE AT KUWAIT AIRPORT……

Sources reveal that with the help of Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), who call themselves the “Magnate Group” had put in great efforts in getting all the paperwork and documents ready, in order to ferry the body of Sathish Shetty to Mangaluru by today’s Jazeera Airways flight. The Association in a statement had said, “Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA)- Karnataka Branch wants to offer flight services for expatriate Kannadigas. This is only a preliminary registration and you will be officially notified of further instructions for destination and date. All services are subject to the decisions and regulations of the India-Kuwait governments”.

AFTER ARRIVAL AT MANGALURU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT….

KKMA in association with United Karnataka Associations and Akbar Travels had made arrangements for the repatriation of 165 Kannadigas onboard Jazeera Airways, the opportunity to travel back home. It was really a dream come true for the distressed Kannadigas from Coastal Karnataka. As per sources, The Jazeera Airways charter flight had taken off off around 10:40 am from Kuwait International Airport – Terminal no.5 and estimated time of arrival at Mangalore Airport is 5:05 pm. All the association leaders and Akbar Travels Team wished all passengers a safe and pleasant journey back home. “Being Kannadigas we felt proud when the flight took off around 1040 am. It was really a nice moment to watch our beloved Kannadigas brothers and sisters happily smiling and overwhelmed. This mission would not have possible without the support of Karnataka State government, Government of India, Government of the State of Kuwait, Indian Embassy in Kuwait, DC office in Mangalore, entire Team Jazeera and all the Associations who collaborated and worked hard together to make this operation a successful one” stated the Association media release.

As per the Association in their statement to media stated, “From the time Indian government announced Vande Bharath Mission, All Karnataka associations came together under one banner ‘United Karnataka Associations of Kuwait’. We contacted all possible contacts in central and state governments with the request to take back distressed people of Karnataka. Many of them had a serious medical condition and needed urgent attention, some have lost jobs and without any money from last 3-4 months, and few pregnant ladies. In this wait to go back to their home country, few have lost their lives and few are hospitalized. With all the hardships in front of our eyes, we worked tirelessly with the hope of flying needy Kannadigas back home safely. We will continue our efforts to ease the difficulties of Kannadigas”.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude and special thanks to Regional Manager of Akbar travels Shaikh Abdulla & team, Ramesh S. Bhandary (Tulu Koota Kuwait) for taking the lead, Stevan Rego (KCWA), Rajesh Vittal (Kannada Koota), Guruprasad Hegde(BSK) And senior management of Jazeera Airways, Mrs. Sindhu Roopesh – DC Mangaluru, Dr. Yatish Ullal from DC office & Manish from Quarantine department Mangaluru for their outstanding support. We would also like to thank S. M. Azar (KKMA), Krishna Poojari (Billava Sanga), Abdul Nasser Khan (KMWA), Jaffar Sadik (IMA), Raj Bhandary (BPP), Rajesh Mendon (MAK), Dr.Surendra Nayak (GSB) for their direct or indirect support ” said the Association statement.

And as part of the mandatory quarantine required for all the passengers, the hotel bookings for a period of seven days after arrival in Mangaluru was done at the Kuwait Airport, prior to the departure. After the passengers arrived at the MIA, they all underwent the required check-ups, and other procedures, following which they were all taken to their respective quarantine hotels. Also, two family members received the body of Sathish Shetty at the Mangaluru International Airport after arrival, and after certain formalities, the body was cremated at Shakthinagar Crematorium, with only a few close family members taking part in the final rites. (Ref: Body of Sathish K Shetty to Arrive by the FIRST Kuwait-Mangaluru Flight on Jazeera Airways on 17 June)