Recently, Air India Express, a budget carrier, had to cancel 85 flights since Tuesday evening due to dozens of cabin crew members calling in sick. This unexpected situation has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of passengers.
The airline is working diligently to minimize the inconvenience caused to its guests. In a statement released on Thursday, a company spokesperson assured that they are taking steps to address the issue and are also considering appropriate actions against certain individuals responsible for the disruptions.
Operating over 2,500 flights weekly and serving 45 domestic and international airports, Air India Express is a significant player in the Indian aviation industry.
According to a source familiar with the incident, around 100 cabin crew members called in sick at the last minute on Tuesday. The source mentioned that some crew members were unhappy with recent changes, including the introduction of a merit-based performance system, following the airline's privatization two years ago.
Despite internal changes, the airline has been engaging with its staff regularly. The sudden sick calls came as a surprise to the management.
Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, was acquired by Tata Group in January 2022. The conglomerate has announced plans to merge Air India Express with AIX Connect, another subsidiary carrier of Air India.
In response to the flight cancellations, Air India Express has offered affected passengers the option of a full refund or free flight rescheduling for flights canceled or delayed by more than three hours. Additionally, Air India will be supporting the budget carrier by operating flights on 20 of its routes during this disruption.
