TRAIN
Notes
1. Movement by rail rather than road may be the better solution where large numbers are repatriating to the same initial destination.
2. To avoid delays at the border, try and organize immigration, customs and health formalities either only at the final destination or by embarking officials who complete them during the journey.
AIR
Notes
1. For any large scale repatriation, existing commercial flights will be insufficient (and more expensive than chartering). In general, the most economical aircraft on a medium or long haul is a full wide-bodied jet (i.e. jumbo or airbus type).
2. UNHCR has considerable experience in chartering aircraft for repatriation operations. The agreement is likely to be concluded from Geneva and advice should be sought from Headquarters (the Regional Bureau and Supply and Transport Section) regarding procedures and standards of safety.
3. In addition to practical matters such as runway length, consider requesting from the governments concerned:
-concession to use duty free fuel (check fuel availability);
-waivers of in-flight route charges, landing and parking fees;
-payment only for actual cost of handling charges rather than the fixed commercial fees.
BOAT
