At least 78 Air India Express flights, both international and domestic, faced cancellations as senior crew members called in sick overnight, catching the airline off guard. The sudden absence of crew members led to disruptions from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, leaving passengers stranded.

Sources within the airline revealed suspicions that the crew members were dissatisfied with the restructuring of their salaries, particularly the performance-linked incentive component. The unexpected sick reports were seen as a form of protest, aimed at highlighting grievances and avoiding potential chaos at airports.

Efforts to communicate with the protesting crew members have proven futile thus far, exacerbating the situation for the airline. Despite attempts to understand the reasons behind the sudden sick reports, Air India Express is focused on mitigating the inconvenience caused to passengers.

In response to the disruptions, Air India Express issued a statement expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and emphasizing its commitment to maintaining service standards. Affected passengers were offered options for full refunds or complimentary rescheduling to alternative dates.

Passengers scheduled to fly with Air India Express were advised to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport, given the ongoing disruptions. The airline urged passengers to stay updated on the situation to avoid further inconvenience.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that over 200 cabin crew members may have reported sick, further complicating flight operations. Disruptions were noted at various airports, including Kochi, Calicut, and Bangalore, highlighting the widespread impact of the crew shortage.

The incident comes amidst ongoing discontent among cabin crew members, particularly following the merger process with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India). Previous grievances, including issues related to accommodations during layovers, have heightened tensions between the airline’s management and cabin crew members.

Air India Express, now under the ownership of the Tata Group, has been under scrutiny for alleged violations of regulations concerning disputes between management and cabin crew members. The airline received a show cause notice from the Union Labour Ministry, citing concerns raised by the cabin crew regarding various grievances.

In summary, the sudden sick reports among Air India Express crew members have resulted in significant disruptions to flight operations, underscoring underlying tensions within the airline. Efforts to address grievances and restore normalcy remain ongoing amidst ongoing challenges.

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