Dozens of cabin crew members at Air India Express called in sick, leading to the cancellation of 85 flights since Tuesday evening and causing disruption to thousands of passengers. The Indian carrier is trying to minimize the inconvenience caused to its guests and is taking steps against individuals whose actions have affected the operations. Air India Express operates numerous flights each week to domestic and international airports.
Around 100 cabin crew members called in sick at the last minute on Tuesday, causing chaos within the airline. Some crew members were reportedly unhappy with the introduction of a merit-based performance system, a change implemented since the airline’s privatization over two years ago. Despite efforts to engage with staff, the sudden sick calls came as a surprise to the organization.
Air India Express is a subsidiary of Air India, which was sold to Tata Group in January 2022. The conglomerate plans to merge Air India Express with another subsidiary, AIX Connect. Passengers affected by flight cancellations or delays of more than three hours are eligible for a full refund or free rescheduling of their flights. Air India is supporting Air India Express through the disruption by operating flights on 20 of its routes.
The cabin crew’s sick calls caused significant operational issues for Air India Express, leading to flight cancellations and delays. The airline is committed to addressing any concerns raised by its staff but is also taking action against individuals responsible for the disruption. Despite recent changes within the organization, the sudden sick calls came as a surprise due to ongoing efforts to engage with employees.
Air India Express operates a large number of weekly flights to various destinations, both domestically and internationally. The disruption caused by the sick calls highlights the challenges faced by the airline in maintaining smooth operations. Passengers affected by the cancellations are being offered refunds or free rescheduling of their flights to minimize the impact on their travel plans. Air India’s support through the disruption includes operating flights on certain routes to help mitigate the effects of the cancellations.
The privatization and subsequent changes at Air India Express have led to dissatisfaction among some cabin crew members, resulting in the recent sick calls and subsequent flight cancellations. The airline is working to resolve the issues raised by its staff while also ensuring that passengers are taken care of during the disruption. With support from Air India, Air India Express is managing the situation and working to resume normal operations as soon as possible.
