Air India Express, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, has been grappling with widespread disruptions since Tuesday evening, as over 90 flights were canceled due to a large-scale sick call from its cabin crew. The abrupt cancellations impacted both international and domestic routes, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.
Sources close to the matter revealed that approximately 300 senior cabin crew members reported being unwell and switched off their phones, leading to the unexpected cancellations. The incident has sparked speculation that the cabin crew is unhappy with revised job conditions following the merger with Tata Group.
Allegations have surfaced that some employees were demoted despite passing interviews, and that there have been changes to compensation and suppression of dissent by the management. Air India Express has confirmed the cancellations and stated that a group of cabin crew unexpectedly called in sick, resulting in numerous delays and flight cancellations. The airline is making efforts to resolve the situation and minimize the impact on passengers.
In the wake of the cancellations, Air India Express has extended a full refund or the option to reschedule flights to affected travelers. The airline has also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, attributing the cancellations to operational issues. However, the unexpected cancellations have left many passengers disappointed, with some voicing their displeasure on social media due to the lack of prior notice.
This disruption within Air India Express comes at a sensitive time as the airline is in the process of merging with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India). The integration has added complexity to the situation, as cabin crew members air their grievances over perceived unfair employment practices.
The incident echoes challenges faced by Vistara, another Tata Group airline, post its merger with Air India. Pilots at Vistara have raised concerns over roster management and salary changes, highlighting the broader struggles within the aviation sector during mergers and organizational restructuring.
