KLM has picked up 278 Ukrainian holidaymakers in the Dominican Republic who cannot return because of the war in their country. The travelers landed at Schiphol this afternoon. A KLM spokesperson reported this to NH Nieuws.
In total, some 1,900 Ukrainians on the island would not be able to return to their homeland, it reported Dominican Ministry of Tourism earlier this week. The government has allowed tourists to stay in their hotels until they are sure of repatriation.
Return flights will also have to be arranged for another 15,000 stranded Russian tourists. The Dominican government is in consultation with Russian tour operators about this. Picking up these tourists is complicated, due to the closure of Canadian, US and European airspace to all aircraft from Russia.
Help with continuing your journey
An Airbus A330-300 was used for the action, which had been stationed in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, since Monday.
The aircraft had to be repaired in Port of Spain due to a technical defect. Instead of having the Airbus fly back to Schiphol empty after maintenance, it first flew to the Dominican city of Punta Cana to pick up the 278 Ukrainians at KLM’s expense. At Schiphol, the Ukrainians are further helped to continue their journey.
Red Cross
KLM has offered the Red Cross to use the cargo company’s trucks for the transport of relief supplies for Ukrainian refugees. According to a KLM spokesperson, freight transport was not yet necessary, but the offer will remain in place if the Red Cross still wants to use the cargo trucks.