Highlights
- 8 repatriation flights planned from Australia from June 17
- Check-in early, carry your own entertainment, advises Ms Chitre-Venkat
- Thousands of Indians stuck in Australia following border closure due to COVID-19
Sydney-based Rachna Chitre-Venkat’s parents travelled to India (Sydney-Delhi-Ahmedabad) in the first phase of Vande Bharat Mission from Australia.
As the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission kicks off from Australia on Wednesday, Ms Chitre-Venkat shared five tips for those taking these special repatriation flights.
What to do if you do not receive email from Air India after confirmation from High Commission?
Ms Chitre-Venkat did not receive the tickets of the repatriation flights after she made the payment.
“If you haven’t received an email from Air India, this is what I did – there is an online chat on the Air India website. I would go there and chat with them and ask if they could advise the status. I had to do this as calls for Air India never got connected,” Ms Chitre-Venkat told SBS Hindi.
“Once you receive an email from Air India and you have made the payment, please reply to their email with the payment receipt and consider it as confirmed from your end.
“You will receive e-tickets as long as you have done payment in the advised time frame. There is no need to stress about not receiving e-tickets. There were people who didn’t get the ticket until the time they went to the airport.
“I received e-tickets for my parents 24 hours prior. It is best to take a printout of Air India email and payment receipt, in case you don’t receive the e-tickets,” she says.
Check-in early
Ms Chitre-Venkar advises travellers to check-in ‘very early’.
“Check-in very early, almost 6 hours prior. Only passengers with confirmed ticket/receipt were allowed to enter the airport. You need to say goodbye to your family at this stage,” she says.
She advises to pack food, Panadol (basic medication), sanitiser, wipes and tea sachets (for quarantine).
“At the airport, there were three forms to be filled. Please pre-fill them and be organised to avoid any hassle,” she says.
Once the temperature is checked, forms are ticked, one proceeds to the check-in counter.
“Once you have your boarding pass, you just wait and wait till your boarding starts. Please note there were no cafes open when my parents went. Only one opened after 8 am.”
Rachana Chitre-Venkat's parents in the repatriation flight Source: Supplied
Inside the plane
“Remember it is a repatriation flight. Not a normal flight,” Ms Chitre-Venkat advises.
“Food, mask and shield were on seats before the flight took off. You need to wear your mask and shield. My parents said Air hostess don’t appreciate you removing the shield.
“Also there is no inflight service or inflight entertainment. You need to carry your own entertainment,” she says.
On disembarking
“Make sure you sit with known people/groups as it is beneficial to avoid delays,” she says.
“When you arrive at your destination, groups of 20 get out of the flight. Hence being with your people helps.
“It is very important, say that you are from Maharashtra, please make group beforehand so that you all can decide which hotel to stay and be together. It will be easy for you to proceed to your state with a group.
“Make sure you do your research on quarantine hotels. You can actually contact the hotel before flying and make arrangements with them beforehand,” she adds.
On quarantine
“During quarantine, the [doctor/nurse] came to check the temperature. Also, the number of quarantine depends on which state you are in. Gujarat has 10 days institutional quarantine and four days of self-isolation,” Ms Chitre-Venkat said.
“Your passport, quarantine certificate is handed over to you on last day when you leave.”
Ms Chitre-Venkat stresses these tips are based on her parents’ personal experience.
“This is based on the personal experience of my parents. Things can be different. Please use this [information] only to get an idea.
“Authorities are doing the best they can in this current situation.”
Eight repatriation flights planned from Australia in the third phase of Mission Vande Bharat starting June 17.
Four flights will leave from Sydney and from Melbourne between June 17 and 24 and includes flights to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Hyderabad.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at
Disclaimer: The tips shared in this article are based on one person's personal experience. Readers' discretion advised.
