Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, has initiated the termination of employees who have taken sick leave, with nearly 30 senior employees already receiving termination letters. The airline has deemed these employees guilty of disrupting operations and violating appointment terms. This move comes in the wake of sudden sick leave taken by over 100 crew members, leading the airline to cancel approximately 90 flights over the past two days. Today, Air India has canceled 74 flights, further aggravating the situation.
Senior cabin crew members of Air India Express have effectively gone on strike, advocating for their demands. On Tuesday, as several flights were set to depart, cabin crew members notified their illness at the last moment, causing significant operational disruptions.
The CEO of the airline stated, "Since yesterday evening, over 100 of our cabin crew associates have reported sick at the last moment before their designated flight duty, causing serious operational issues for us."
Subsequently, Air India announced cuts in flight services until May 13, resulting in the cancellation of over 100 domestic and international flights from Tuesday night, affecting around 15,000 passengers. Alok Singh, the CEO, expressed, "The impact has been felt across the entire network, forcing us to make cuts to our schedule in the coming days."
In a post apologizing for the inconvenience caused to passengers, the company stated, "We sincerely apologize for the unprecedented flight delays and cancellations. However, we are working hard to minimize the disruptions. Please check the status of your flight before heading to the airport. If your flight is affected, please contact us for refunds and rescheduling assistance."
The delays and cancellations in Air India Express flights have caught the attention of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which has sought a detailed report from the airline. The ministry has also urged the airline to promptly resolve the issues. Additionally, Air India Express has been advised to ensure compliance with the standards set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for passenger facilitation.
Air India Express, currently in the process of merging with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), operates nearly 360 daily flights. However, discontent among cabin crew members has been brewing, particularly concerning the merger process and the perceived disparity in treatment among low-cost carriers.
In December 2023, the Central Ministry of Labor issued a notice seeking explanations for alleged violations of rules related to disputes between the airline's management and cabin crew members. The notice was related to concerns raised by cabin crew members, including issues regarding cabin allocation during layovers.
The termination of employees on sick leave by Air India Express underscores the escalating tensions between the airline's management and its workforce, raising questions about labor rights and management policies in the aviation industry.
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