The Indian Weekender, 07 May 2021

8 NEW ZEALAND
Why ordinary
citizens cannot,
while cricketers
can, return on
charter flight
from India?
Friday, May 7, 2021
The Indian Weekender
SANDEEP SINGH
The government once again exhibits an
elitist approach on border management
and immigration by allowing charter
flights bringing Kiwi-cricketers whereas sitting
quiet on similar request for charter flights to
bring ordinary Kiwi citizens back home.
In recent past the government has taken
many such decisions where super rich people
with deep pockets have been prioritised to enter
New Zealand over ordinary citizens, residents
and temporary visa holders.
The government’s decision to allow private
charter flight for cricketers playing in India’s
cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) for
returning home whereas not allowing such
privately operated charter flights to bring
ordinary Kiwi citizens exhibits government’s
overall elitist approach on border management
and immigration.
A spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has told the Indian
Weekender that the government was not
arranging the charter flight bringing Kiwi
cricketers back home.
The spokesperson was responding to the
Indian Weekender’s query following the
announcement of such charter flight this
morning to bring Kiwi cricketers.
“We acknowledge how difficult the situation
in India is right now, and the unfolding health
crisis they are dealing with.
“We understand that a number of New
Zealand cricket players who are in India have
arranged a private charter flight out of India and
have secured spaces in MIQ for their arrival in
New Zealand using the usual processes. This
charter flight is not being arranged by the New
Zealand government. Any questions about
the cricketers’ travel arrangements are best
answered by New Zealand Cricket.
“They are following the standard
requirements of anyone entering New Zealand
from overseas. They have not requested or
received assistance from the New Zealand
Government,” the spokesperson said.
“How can cricketers get MIQ space available
just in one day while ordinary citizens not only
stranded in Covid-ravaged India, but anywhere
else in the world cannot afford to find place for
months,” asks an exasperated husband who was
on a mission to “fetch his partner” speaking on
the condition of anonymity.
Similarly Kiwi-Indian citizens who are
currently stranded in India and desperately
trying to return home are finding it appalling
that the government could allow charter flights
for cricketers who were not on national service
and playing for personal gains in India’s cash
rich IPL while denying them their fundamental
right to return home.
Govt “has not arranged,” but
has approved charter flights
for cricketers asks many
exasperated stranded citizens.
The government not arranged but certainly
approved the request for a private charter flight,
when simultaneously not approving similar
such requests by New Zealand based private
travel & tour operator to run such charter flight
to bring home ordinary Kiwi citizens
currently stranded in India.
One such travel operator
Sehion Travels who have
previously operated two such
repatriation charter flights in
a safe and Covid appropriate
manner had his request for
running a charter flight pending
with the government since the end
of February.
“We have been trying to get approval from
the government to operate a direct charter flight
right from the month of January to when the
flight ban was announced on April 28,” Sijo
Abraham of Sehion Travels said.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get
approval from the government despite a proven
track record of bringing travellers home in a
Covid safe manner,” Sijo said.
“Currently we are in close touch with around
150 Kiwis stranded in India who are desperate
to travel back home. Many of them have health
"Currently
we are in close
touch with around 150
Kiwis stranded in India
who are desperate to travel
back home. Many of them
have health conditions and
they need certainty to
return home"
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conditions and they need certainty
to return home,” Sijo said.
The Indian Weekender had sent
enquiries to the office of Minister of
Transport (under which department of
Civil Aviation operates) about more information
on charter flights from India, one organised by
cricketers and which is approved, and the one
requested by private travel operators to bring
ordinary citizens home and had yet not been
approved.
A response was awaited at the time of
publishing of this story.
For now there is despondency within
ordinary Kiwis stranded in India from the
government’s selected decision on allowing
charter flights for cricketers, and denying them
the right to return home.
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