Covid 19 coronavirus: No NZers will be turned away from mercy flights because of money, MFAT assures

There will be emergency funding for Kiwis who don't have the money to pay for mercy flights home. Photo / File

No stranded New Zealanders overseas wanting to come home on mercy flights will be stopped because they don't have the money to pay, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says.

Kiwis stranded in India have told the Herald they could not afford the Government-chartered flight to return home which is expected to cost about $5500 per passenger.

Some, who have recently lost their jobs because of the Covid-19 outbreak, say this could put them into huge debt.

Many desperate Kiwis stranded in India want to come home. Photo / File

"If New Zealanders in India cannot afford the flight price, then emergency funding is available," a ministry spokesman said.

"No New Zealanders seeking to be on these flights will be prevented from boarding due to a lack of ability to pay."

The spokesman said planning for repatriation flights from India is under way with expressions of interest currently being sought from New Zealanders wishing to return.

The first flight to bring Kiwis stranded in India home is expected to depart next week. Photo / File

"No specific timing has yet been set for the flights, but it is anticipated the first flight will happen in about a week," he said.

"We have been in discussions with the Indian High Commission about our plans for these flights."

However, he said whether India plans to facilitate the repatriation of its nationals from New Zealand was up to the commission.

"The cost of the flight to passengers is comparable to other recent New Zealand government facilitated assisted departures," the spokesman said.

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"The costs to passengers reflect the high operational costs of charter flights in the current environment under Covid-19."

He said the ticket prices did not represent the total cost of the charter operation, which will be underwritten by the New Zealand government.

"Indeed, New Zealand taxpayers are subsidising our series of repatriation flights," he said.