Rich Indians, Bollywood stars flee on private jets as coronavirus crisis grows

India is reporting the world’s highest Covid-19 infection numbers since the pandemic began, with the surge crippling the country’s health care sector

Bollywood stars, tycoons, IPL cricketers and those who can afford to fly are leaving to places like Britain and Dubai, amid concerns of travel restrictions being imposed

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A patient wearing an oxygen mask is wheeled inside a Covid-19 hospital for treatment in Ahmedabad. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:01am, 27 Apr 2021Updated: 5:14pm, 27 Apr 2021

India’s mounting crisis surrounding a surge in coronavirus infections is prompting wealthy families to flee the country by private jet.

With reports of hospital bed and drug shortages sweeping social media, Indian tycoons and others able to afford fares running into millions of rupees are booking flights to bolt-holes in Europe, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

“It’s not only the ultra rich,” said Rajan Mehra, chief executive officer at New Delhi-based private jet firm Club One Air. “Whoever can afford to take a private jet are taking private jets.”

India reported 352,991 new infections on Monday, the highest daily tally worldwide since the pandemic began.

Delhi is in lockdown until May 3, a measure adopted by the southern state of Karnataka and the worst-hit state of Maharashtra, although some states had been set to lift curbs this week.

India has turned to its armed forces for help fighting the crisis as new infections have topped 300,000 since April 21.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all citizens to get vaccinated amid the “storm” of infections.