A repatriation flight organised by Indian expatriate group Chaliyar Doha left for Kozhikode on Thursday morning with 176 passengers and six infants.
Chaliyar Doha had joined hands with Alhind Travels for the initiative.
In a statement, Chaliyar Doha said the passengers included those who had been in distress "after losing their jobs due to Covid-19". Lending a helping hand, the organisation offered free tickets to many travellers who were facing financial hardship.
Chaliyar Doha also distributed kits among the passengers, each containing a sanitiser, face mask and snacks box, besides giving them tickets for the flight.
Flight 6E 9619, operated by IndiGo, took from around 11.30am.
Chaliyar Doha office-bearers were present at Hamad International Airport to mark the departure of the flight. They included president Abdul Latheef Feroke, general secretary Zameel Abdul Wahid Chaliyam, treasurer Keshavdas Nilambur, V C Mashhud Thiruthiyad, Sabikussalam Edavanna, Raghunath Feroke, Ratheesh Kakkove, Haseeb Channayil, Siddique Vazhakkad, Jabir Beypore, C T Siddique Cheruvadi and C P Shanavas.
