In a significant move, Air India Express, owned by the Tata Group, has terminated the services of 30 cabin crew members who participated in a mass sick leave without prior notice. This action led to the cancellation of over 100 flights since Tuesday night, impacting approximately 15,000 passengers.
The airline cited the crew members’ collective absence as “pre-mediated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason” in an emailed statement addressed to the concerned individuals. The termination notices were reportedly sent out on Wednesday night.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the airline emphasized that the mass sick leave not only contravened applicable laws but also violated the Air India Express Limited Employees’ Service Rules. According to the statement, the crew members were scheduled for duty on Tuesday but informed the scheduling team at the last moment about their unavailability due to illness.
The repercussions of this absenteeism were profound, causing extensive flight cancellations and disrupting the entire schedule, resulting in significant inconvenience for passengers. As a result, Air India Express announced a curtailment of flight services until May 13 to manage the crew shortage and recover schedules.
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has intervened, seeking a detailed report from the airline regarding the flight delays and cancellations. Additionally, it urged Air India Express to swiftly address the crisis.
Passengers across various airports, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kerala, faced chaos due to the sudden flight cancellations. The airline has since announced alternative flight accommodations for affected passengers and released a revised flight schedule.
This development unfolds amidst ongoing discontent among cabin crew members, particularly in light of the merger process between AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) and Air India Express. The airline previously received a show cause notice from the Union Labour Ministry in December 2023 for alleged violations related to disputes between management and cabin crew members, including concerns regarding room sharing during layovers.
