Almost a month after other countries started repatriating their citizens from India, the New Zealand Government is this week getting its first plane off the ground.
Two weeks ago Germany had already chartered 12 flights out of India for its citizens and a group of Australians successfully managed to charter five private flights, returning 2500 people.
The man who ran these flights, Brendon Hempel, a pilot of 20 years and now in the plane chartering business, offered the same service to get New Zealanders out but was told by MFAT that his services weren't needed.
Brendon Hempel told RNZ reporter Jordan Bond the Government's choice to use Air New Zealand means some people won't be able to afford the $5500 price tag.
The first repatriation flight for Kiwis is due to depart New Delhi on Friday, flying direct to Auckland on Air New Zealand.
In a statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Government chose Air New Zealand because they couldn't guarantee privately chartered flights would actually go ahead, and one of the carriers has a 'mixed safety record'.
It also said using Air New Zealand allows more cohesive planning with the other agencies involved in the repatriation including Immigration, Health, Police and Customs.
