SAA to fetch passengers in India
2008-11-27 11:03
Johannesburg - South African Airways (SAA) will fly to Mumbai to fetch passengers and crew stranded amid terrorist attacks which have left 100 people dead.
"SAA will continue with its scheduled flight, SA284, to Mumbai to collect passengers and crew," the airline said in a statement on Thursday.
"The flight will depart at 13:30 Thursday November 27 2008, rather than the scheduled 11:30.
"Further details of the return flight from Mumbai will be communicated in due course," SAA said.
The airline would endorse all tickets for travel on other airlines, for passengers who were in Mumbai with valid SAA tickets.
SAA said it had been informed that Mumbai's Airport remained secure and safe. "We are deeply concerned about the situation in Mumbai, where apparent terrorist attacks are underway," said SAA chief executive officer Khaya Ngqula. "We will do everything in our power to ensure the safe return of passengers and crew," he said.
SAA said it had located nine of 12 SAA crew members in Mumbai. The airline was working with authorities to make contact with the remaining three crew members.
Foreign news agencies reported that teams of gunmen stormed hotels, a restaurant, a train station and hospitals in co-ordinated attacks in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, taking Westerners hostage.
A group of suspected Muslim militants has claimed responsibility.
- SAPA