First humanitarian flight arrives in Quito with 248 Ecuadorians evacuated from Ukraine

A first humanitarian flight, chartered by the Ecuadorian Government, arrived in Quito this Friday with 248 people evacuated from Ukraine.

The World2Fly’s Airbus A330 arrived shortly before 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at the “Mariscal Sucre” airport in Quitor, where dozens of relatives were waiting for their children, nephews, brothers and grandchildren.

Applause and tears broke out in the airport area where relatives were waiting with balloons, photos, flowers, Ecuadorian and Ukrainian flags, as well as signs with welcome legends.

“We love you Karito. Welcome home”, “God bless”, “Thank you God”, “Welcome Josué and Tiffany, we love you very much”, “Joshua, my beloved son, you are a warrior. We are waiting for you”, was read in some of the posters raised excitedly by relatives.

As they began to leave the A330-300 plane, the joy rose to maximum levels. Seeing the passengers, even from afar, made my heart overflow with joy. Inside and outside the aircraft there were many flags and t-shirts with the national colors.

From his Twitter account, Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguín, who announced that the plane was already in national territory, reported that this group of Ecuadorians “It will be received by institutions such as the International Red Cross.”

Another poster alluded to the work of the authorities: “God bless you for your management, Mr. Chancellor.”

Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguín wrote on Twitter that the 248 Ecuadorians will be received by institutions such as the International Red Cross.

“Authorities have decided not to be there out of respect for their families,” he said before noting that a second humanitarian flight will leave this Friday.

Several of the evacuated Ecuadorians greeted their arrival from the aircraft windows, while others communicated with their relatives by WhatsApp, according to relatives who were in the airport waiting area.

Eight pets of evacuees from Ukraine also arrived at the airfield in Quito.

empty seats

The flight that left yesterday, Thursday, arrives with around a hundred empty seats after a large group was unable to board the plane in Poland apparently not being on the lists handled by the flight crew.

Foreign Minister Holguín argued that this circumstance was due to the fact that priority was given to Ecuadorians who were in Hungary and Slovakia on this first humanitarian flight.

“We had to make this tough decision due to an operational change,” he said Thursday in a video message posted on social media.

The Foreign Minister explained that the Ecuadorians who stayed on land in Warsaw were transferred to have accommodation in the Polish capital and promised that there will be another humanitarian flight for them and the rest of their compatriots scattered in various parts of Eastern Europe.

Before heading to Quito, the charter flight, which left Madrid, made two stops in Budapest and Warsaw, the two cities where the majority of Ecuadorians who left Ukraine behind were concentrated. (I)