Stranded Indians fly in from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi

Kochi, May 11 (IANS) The latest air evacuation of Indians, under the Vande Bharat mission, saw 179 Indians from Malaysia, set foot in Kochi on Sunday night. Setting off from Kuala Lumpur, the Air India Express flight IX 683 landed at the Kochi International Airport, around 10.20 p.m. on Sunday.The passengers from Malaysia include 177 adults and 2 infants. On disembarking, passengers are to pass through a thermal scanner. Those who don't display COVID-19 symptoms, are then counselled on the protocols associated with self-quarantine. Air India Express has been regularly operated repatriation flights, primarily from middle East region to Kerala since May 7, when the first flight arrived from Abu Dhabi. Unlike most of the repatriation flights which have originated from the middle East, Sunday's Air India Express flight IX 683, is the first flight to ferry in Indians from the south east Asia.
--IANS pvn/pgh