PANJIM: The Foreigners Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs has granted clearance for the landing and immigration at Dabolim airport, of three planes carrying 414 seafarers from Italy.

The order issued by Under Secretary – Immigration, Pratap Singh Rawat, says MHA has no objection to carry out immigration functions in respect of 414 Indian nationals coming to India (Dabolim Airport, Goa) from Italy through three special chartered B-737aircrafts arranged by Costa Cruise Company (tentatively on May 20), subject to production of no objection certificate/permission from competent Authority in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and DGCA.

“The airline operator shall also strictly adhere to the guidelines regarding COVID-19 issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of External Affairs and DGCA,” the letter says.

The flights will be arriving from COVID-19 hotspot Italy. The country has recorded nearly 2.24 lakh cases and close to 34,000 deaths.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Opposition leader Digambar Kamat had demanded that Dabolim airport be opened for repatriation flights for seafarers and other stranded Goans, who wish to come by special chartered flights.

Goa Seaman Association of India’s Founder President Dixon Vaz said it was good news for the families of stranded seafarers.

“We expect similar action to follow in future and all Goans who are stranded abroad and brought back home,” he said.