Amidst ongoing turbulence, Air India Express grapples with crew shortages, leading to 40 daily flight cancellations until May 13 in Tata Group’s airline merger. Recent updates indicate that the Tata Group’s airline merger is still facing significant challenges, with no immediate solutions in sight.
Previously, it was noted that over 90 flights were canceled starting Tuesday evening due to unexpected events. A major issue arose as about 300 senior cabin crew members took sudden sick leave, impacting both international and domestic routes. These crew members also became unreachable after switching off their phones.
Currently, it is expected that the low-cost airline will cancel approximately 40 flights each day up to May 13 due to continued high levels of sick leave among the crew. This situation mirrors the difficulties faced by Vistara last month during its consolidation with Air India, where over 300 cabin crew members of Air India Express also took sick leave, leading to over 90 flight cancellations by Wednesday night. Recent updates reveal that dismissal notices have been sent to those involved.
Airline officials are striving to reduce the impact on international flights, with potential cancellations impacting less than 20% of overseas services. As the airline operates with more than 80% capacity, the cancellations have impacted around 13,000 travelers. Passengers with upcoming flights are advised to check their flight status in advance due to potential further disruptions caused by the unpredictability of crew availability. The airline advises passengers to check the “Flight Status” section on their website for up-to-date information. Those affected by cancellations or delays exceeding three hours have the option for a full refund or to reschedule their flights without any charges through Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on the Air India Express website.
To alleviate the difficulties, the airline offers passengers the choice of full refunds or the opportunity to reschedule without extra charges. This comes at a time when the peak summer season is adding to the travel woes, with other airlines also facing operational hurdles. The Ministry of Aviation has called for a comprehensive report from Air India Express and emphasized the need for quick resolution and compliance with regulatory norms. Despite these measures, there is a growing dissatisfaction among passengers, which is becoming increasingly visible across various social media platforms.
