Kerala for more flights from US, Canada

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, here on Monday, assured representatives of various Kerala organisations in the US through video link that the state had demanded more international flights to fly back Keralites back home.

During the day, the first flight from San Francisco arrived at Kochi carrying 103 people.

Vijayan has sought more flights from San Francisco, New York, Washington and Chicago.

"Apart from that, I have informed the Centre about our people stranded in Europe, Middle East and other countries. I have also asked the Centre to take immediate steps about numerous students stranded in various countries. We are waiting to see more of our people to be put on the Vande Bharat Mission flights. All arrangements are now in place in the state for isolation and quarantine," said Vijayan.

Vijayan said he would take up again the issue of the Overseas Indian Card holders, who were presently not able to travel from abroad to Kerala.

According to estimates, about two million Keralites who hold foreign passports.