Raab: 1.3 million Britons repatriated on commercial flights
James ChappleMore than 1.3 million British nationals have been repatriated via commercial flights since the coronavirus outbreak began.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab issued an update on the progress of the UK’s repatriation effort during Wednesday’s government Covid-19 briefing.
Raab said the government had worked closely with airlines and governments around the world to ensure flights could operate, and that airspace remained open.
He said more than 200,000 Britons had been brought home from Spain on commercial flights, as well as more than 50,000 from Australia and 11,000 from Pakistan.
Via the government’s own £75 million repatriation operation, launched to bring home those stranded without access to commercial flights, Raab said this had delivered 20,000 people so far on more than 20 flights.
This includes 9,000 from India, 2,000 from South Africa and 1,200 from Peru said Raab.
The foreign secretary also reiterated Grant Shapps’ confirmation late last week that all 19,000 British cruise passengers stranded on 60 ships around the world when the pandemic struck had now been repatriated.
Raab said the effort had been a "daunting task" but stressed the government would continue with its programme.
"It’s an enormous effort, and we recognise the job is not done," he said, adding further charter flights from New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan would operate over the coming week.
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James Chapple
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