Aviation paves way for humanity in times of distress

Aviation has largely been looked at as a mode of transportation and a source of business supporting the nation’s economy. However, this pandemic also brought another significant role of aviation in the forefront. While borders ceased, and everything was shut, airplanes became the solace in transporting medical supplies as well as stranded people from one place to another safely. Despite the hit that this industry has taken due to the pandemic, aviation industry has fulfilled important tasks displaying the role it can play for humanity at large. Many airlines from SpiceJet to Air India have been active throughout the lockdown period in helping various stranded passengers reach their homes as well as in importing necessary medical equipment.

One recent example of that has been the collaboration between low-cost airline, AirAsia India and Bollywood actor, Sonu Sood in the actor’s initiative to rescue migrant workers in the country.

On May 29, a group consisting of 147 women and 20 men were airlifted by an AirAsia chartered flight from Kochi, Kerala to the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. This special chartered flight was arranged by Sood to rescue these migrant workers and help them reach their home in Odisha. These migrants worked with a clothing and stitching firm.

On May 29, a group consisting of 147 women and 20 men were airlifted by an AirAsia chartered flight from Kochi, Kerala to the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. This special chartered flight was arranged by Sood to rescue these migrant workers and help them reach their home in Odisha.

Speaking of this initiative, Anup Manjeshwar, Head, Sales & Distribution, AirAsia India said, “AirAsia is happy to be a part of this initiative of Sonu Sood and help people in need get back to their loved ones. Sonu Sood's compassion and empathy with the plight of migrant workers has been inspiring and it has been a pleasure working with him to facilitate this fantastic initiative. At AirAsia, we have always taken pride in connecting people and destinations and to safely get these guests to their homes is another feather in our cap and testament to the AirAsia ethos, "Now Everyone Can Fly". In reaching out to us, Sonu Sood has reinforced that especially in times like this, air travel remains the quickest, safest, most efficient and effective means of transport.”

Commenting on the initiative, Sood said, “When I decided to come forward in support of these migrant workers who have been stranded, all that I had in my mind was how I can help reunite them with their families and homes.”

The actor was thankful to the carrier “for their immediate response and interest in supporting this endeavour.” He further added, “AirAsia India has been very appreciative that this Umeed Ki Udan may be the first flight for many of them. The Allstars of AirAsia who have been part of this journey have been true Covid warriors and have done everything possible to make the guests on board comfortable.”

According to reports, these Odia women had been trying to return home for last several weeks and finally their plight was posted by someone on Twitter which led to Sood’s help.

“With ‘Umeed Ki Udaan’ (charter flights for migrants) our efforts are aimed at uniting stranded migrant workers with their families, as the nation battles the pandemic,” said Manjeshwar.

An airline official also informed that initially, it was proposed to bring back the young women by bus or train but Sood offered to send them in a special plane. According to reports, these Odia women had been trying to return home for last several weeks and finally their plight was posted by someone on Twitter which led to Sood’s help.

"We would like to thank Sonu Sood from the bottom of our hearts for making these arrangements for us to fly back home. Words aren't enough for us to express our gratitude towards this gesture. All of us haven't met our families for so many months. Our happiness has no bounds and we are thankful to AirAsia India for making this journey so special," said Prashanto, one of the migrant workers.

The efforts were largely appreciated by people and officials alike on social media platforms.

Kendrapara Collector Samarth Verma told PTI that the district administration had sent four buses to pick up the women from the Bhubaneswar airport. The returnees were offered food, water and other necessities and travelled to Kendrapara by maintaining social distancing as all the returnees hailed from Kendrapara. All of them have been placed in institutional quarantine. They will be under mandatory quarantine for seven days at the government-run facilities at the district headquarters town, he said after which they will be in home quarantine for another seven days, Verma added.

“The resounding response that we received nationwide for this initiative, taking migrant workers home from Mumbai, Imphal, Guwahati and Kochi is a catalyst motivating us to do even more. We look forward to working with other like-minded individuals and organisations keen on supporting migrant communities,” Manjeshwar added.

On June 5, the actor funded yet another chartered flight to help fly over 170 migrant workers to Dehradun in Uttarakhand from the city, in an aircraft operated by the same budget airline AirAsia India.The Airbus A320 plane with 173 migrants onboard left from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and landed at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, the spokesperson said. “As another charter flight takes flight today, our efforts to help migrant workers stranded in various parts of the country have only grown stronger. Most of them have never had the opportunity to experience air travel, and the smiles on their faces brings me a lot of joy as they take this AirAsia India flight to reach home to their families and friends,” said Sood.

“The resounding response that we received nationwide for this initiative, taking migrant workers home from Mumbai, Imphal, Guwahati and Kochi is a catalyst motivating us to do even more. We look forward to working with other like-minded individuals and organisations keen on supporting migrant communities,” Manjeshwar added.

Such instances are bringing a bright ray of hope and happiness in such grave times, and many more people are coming forward to collaborate with the airline for this noble cause. AirAsia India tweeted yesterday, “3 flights, 450+ migrant guests and innumerable smiles. That’s what makes Umeed Ki Udaan truly special for our guests, our partners and us.”