AI deploys two flights to evacuate Indians from Tripoli

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) Air India will fly two planesto Tripoli tonight to evacuate about 18,000 Indians strandedin strife-torn Libya.

"Air India has decided to fly two planes - one fromDelhi and another from Mumbai - to Triploi to evacuatestranded Indians on the request from the officials of ExternalAffairs Ministry," an Air India official said.

Both the flights, AI 171 from Mumbai to Tripoli and AI161 from Delhi to Tripoli, would take off at 0115 hours andreach Libyan capital Tripoli at 0700 hours (local time).

The return flights, AI 170 from Tripoli to Mumbai andAI 160 from Tripoli to Delhi, would depart at 1000 hours(Libya time) and reach India at 2015 hours.

The national carrier has deployed Airbus 330, with acapacity of 270 seats, from Delhi and Boeing 747, with acapacity of 400, from Mumbai.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna hadsaid that Libyan government has given landing clearance fortwo Air India planes per day from tomorrow for evacuation ofIndian nationals.

Two flights had been given clearance to operate byLibyan authorities for ten days.