The first flight of Operation Ajay will depart at 9 pm from Israel's Ben Gurion airport and no fares will be charged from the passengers aboard as the Indian government is bearing the cost of their return.
The Indian embassy has launched 'Operation Ajay' on Thursday in a bid to evacuate the stranded Indians who wish to return to India from the war-hit Israel. As per media reports, the first charter flight will leave from the Ben Gurion airport on Thursday night with 230 Indians living in Israel. .
According to PTI, the flight will depart at 9 pm from Israel and no fares will be charged from the passengers aboard as the Indian government is bearing the cost of their return. The evacuation drive will eventually also include those who were unable to travel to India because Air India had immediately suspended its flight on October 7 from Israel.
The Indian embassy has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight, the mission posted on X.
"Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights", it said.
The embassy's tweet followed a message on the same social media platform by Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, on Wednesday announcing the launch of 'Operation Ajay'.
"Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place", Jaishankar wrote.
"Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad", the external affairs minister stressed.
Ben Gurion International Airport is the main international airport of Israel. It is situated on the northern outskirts of the city of Lod.