New Delhi: Air India pilot Amitabh Singh, who flew a special aircraft to China to bring back the stranded Indians, described his experience as a bit unnerving and eerie when he landed in Wuhan- the epicentre of Novel Coronavirus outbreak.
A total of 647 Indians, as well 7 Maldivians, were evacuated with the help of two Boeing 747 flights from Wuhan.
Captain Amitabh was on both the flights which were operated on January 31 and February 2.
There were 15 cabin crew members on each special flight and two sets of pilots.
Read:| Coronavirus: Air India bravehearts honoured for Wuhan evacuation
Speaking exclusively with ETV Bharat, Director of Operations for Air India, Amitabh Singh said, " All the streets were well lit but there was not a soul inside and there was no vehicular movement. It was nothing like a normal airport, it was total silence. We were the only aircraft which landed and even all their (China) aircrafts were sealed."
On being asked about the first experience of the crew members on bringing back hundreds of stranded Indians from Wuhan, Amitabh revealed that all of them were ready to operate the flight as they were willing to help.
"Air India is always ready for any kind of emergency, we have done lots of evacuations in the past, we have transported lots of troops to the front, we are always ready," Captain Amitabh said.
On Monday, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri handed over the letters of appreciation to the 68 bravehearts of Air India in New Delhi issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Read:| Coronavirus outbreak: Air India flight evacuating 324 Indians from China's Wuhan land in Delhi
