Air India Express, the budget carrier subsidiary, faced turmoil on Thursday with the cancellation of 85 flights following a wave of last-minute sick calls from cabin crew members.
The airline, now under the umbrella of Indian conglomerate Tata Group since 2022, encountered operational disruptions amidst reports linking the mass sick leave to simmering discontent among staff regarding new hiring and promotion policies imposed by the new ownership.
In a statement, Air India Express expressed efforts to mitigate inconvenience for passengers affected by the cancellations, urging travelers to verify their flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Since Tuesday, more than 90 flights experienced disruptions due to staffing shortages, although the nature of these disruptions—whether delays or cancellations—remained unspecified by the airline.
CEO Aloke Singh disclosed that flight schedules would be curtailed in the coming days due to over 100 cabin crew members reporting sick just before their assigned duties, significantly impeding operations. Singh emphasized that the actions of a few did not reflect the dedication of the majority of the airline`s cabin crew.
Media outlets reported the dismissal of approximately 20 staff members by the budget carrier, though specific details were not provided by Air India Express.
Meanwhile, New Delhi airport witnessed chaotic scenes on Wednesday as frustrated passengers awaited updates on their disrupted travel plans amidst delays and cancellations.
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