Tata Group-owned Air India Express recently announced a reduction in flight services until May 13 due to unexpected sick leave taken by senior crew members, resulting in the cancellation of over 100 domestic and international flights since Tuesday night. This abrupt development has affected approximately 15,000 passengers, prompting the airline to address the disruptions cascading across its network.
Airline CEO Aloke Singh conveyed his dismay over the situation, highlighting that more than 100 cabin crew members reported sick just before their scheduled flight duties, severely hampering operations. Singh noted that the disproportionate impact was primarily felt due to the absence of senior crew members assigned L1 roles.
The decision to curtail flight services was necessitated by the shortage of crew members and the imperative to restore operational schedules. Singh emphasized that the mass sick leave was not reflective of the dedication exhibited by the majority of the airline's cabin crew, who continue to serve passengers with commitment and pride.
In response to the chaos caused by flight cancellations, the airline has been striving to mitigate disruptions by accommodating affected passengers on alternative flights, including those operated by Group Airlines. Furthermore, a revised flight schedule has been released, and passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
However, the situation has attracted scrutiny from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, which has requested a comprehensive report from the airline regarding the flight delays and cancellations. The ministry has urged Air India Express to promptly address the crisis and ensure that passenger facilities comply with Directorate General of Civil Aviation norms.
Amidst speculations about the underlying causes of the crew members' dissatisfaction, sources within the airline suggest possible discontent regarding the performance-linked incentive component of their salaries following recent revamps and restructuring efforts. This unrest among cabin crew members has been simmering for some time, particularly since the initiation of the merger process involving AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).
In a related development, in December 2023, Air India Express received a show cause notice from the Union Labour Ministry over alleged violations of regulations on disputes between management and cabin crew members. The notice was issued in response to concerns raised by cabin crew members, including grievances regarding room-sharing arrangements during layovers.
