Repatriation flights from Peru arrive in UK
Two repatriation flights carrying British passengers from Peru have landed at Heathrow Airport.
The British Airways flights left Lima on Sunday and landed at the west London hub on Monday morning.
The planes touched down after Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb said the Foreign Office had chartered more flights from Peru.
#UPDATEpic.twitter.com/EtMuBFVplt
— UK in Peru 🇬🇧🇵🇪 (@UKinPeru) March 30, 2020
The Foreign Office has not said how many passengers were on board, but said two more flights will leave Peru on Monday, arriving in the UK on Tuesday.
The repatriation flights were arranged by the Foreign Office in partnership with British Airways to rescue more than 1,000 stranded Britons.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We recognise British tourists abroad are finding it difficult to return to the UK because of the unprecedented international travel and domestic restrictions that are being introduced around the world – often with very little or no notice.
“The FCO is working around the clock to support British travellers in this situation to allow them to come back to the UK.
More British passengers are returning to the UK from Peru today on another flight back home. The flight departed Lima at 13.52 local time. We’ll continue to work urgently on another flight today and two more tomorrow & to offer support to British travellers who are still in Peru. pic.twitter.com/bRgV68CaF7
— Kate Harrisson 🇬🇧 (@kate_harrisson) March 29, 2020
“The Government is seeking to keep key transit routes open as long as possible and is in touch with international partners and the airline industry to make this happen.
“Consular staff are supporting those with urgent need while providing travel advice and support to those still abroad.”
