India: Airlines prepare to organise extra flights

The Foreign Office was trying last night to locate an estimated 1,000 Britons travelling in India after it issued advice to leave the country.

Travellers were urged to contact the Indian offices of commercial airlines, which have promised to make a priority of flying them back to Britain, regardless of the cost and conditions of their ticket.

British Airways, which operates a daily 747-400 service from Delhi and Bombay and a twice-weekly return flight from Madras, said it was monitoring the position and was prepared to lay on extra flights. The travel company Travelbag said it would stop selling holidays and flights to India and would contact customers booked for the next four weeks and offer them the option of cancelling.

Attempts to fly home British nationals were being made only hours after warnings from Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, who has been on a diplomatic mission in the region this week. The Foreign Office said commercial airlines were currently operating as normal into and out of India and therefore every effort should be made to leave by normal means.

The travel warning was issued at a low season for travellers from Britain to India. An Abta spokeswoman said: "We expect that the airlines and tour companies will treat requests to return from India before schedule with sympathy."

About 1,000 Britons are believed to be in India at present. This is the hottest month and the rainy season starts within weeks. The holiday season in India starts in November. "Because most of the people in India are backpackers it will make it much more difficult for the Foreign Office to track them down," said the Abta spokeswoman. "If you have booked a flight-only trip then it is up to you to get yourself out. The main season does not start for several months so it is too early to say what will happen.

"But for imminent departures we have told our member that clients should be given the option to transfer to a different destination, to have a full refund or to postpone. We have spoken to the major carriers and most do have policies in place at present."

About 474,000 Britons were expected to visit India this year, with about 242,000 on holiday, half of them package trips. Although India is not one of the main destinations for British holidaymakers it one of the most popular for backpackers.

Q&A Foreign Office advice

What is your travel advice for India?

We advise against travel to India for the time being. We further advise all British nationals in India to consider whether they should leave. Commercial flights are still operating as normal into and out of India.

Why is the Foreign Office advice changing?

In the light of the heightened tension between India and Pakistan and the increased risk of conflict. We are offering dependants of UK staff and less essential staff in our posts in northern India the option to return home.

Does your advice cover all of India (including Goa, for instance)?

Yes, it covers all areas.

How many British nationals are in India?

There could be 20,000.