On Thursday, over 85 flights were cancelled following the mass sick leave taken by the cabin crew of Air India Express. The Air India Express Employees Union accused the airline of mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff. The Union claimed that these issues have adversely impacted employee morale.
Air India Express Terminates Cabin Crew:
Air India Express, facing significant disruptions to its flight operations, has taken a decisive step by terminating at least 25 cabin crew members. This action comes in the wake of hundreds of employees reporting sick, causing extensive delays and cancellations affecting thousands of passengers.
The management of Air India Express took swift action on Wednesday, terminating cabin crew members who had reported sick between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sources within the airline cited the employees’ unprofessional behavior and the consequent inconvenience caused to passengers as reasons for the terminations.
Violation Of Employment Contracts:
The mass sick leave, deemed premeditated and concerted, was seen as a violation of Air India Express Limited’s employee service rules. The decision to terminate these employees was justified on the grounds that their actions breached the conditions outlined in their employment contracts.
Disruption To Flight Operations:
The disruptions caused by the mass sick leave were significant, affecting over 95 flights between Tuesday evening and Wednesday. This disruption, comprising delays and cancellations, impacted more than 10,000 passengers, prompting the CEO, Aloke Singh, to announce plans to reduce flight operations in the coming days.
Singh expressed his disappointment over the actions of the cabin crew members, emphasizing that their behavior does not reflect the dedication of the majority of the airline’s staff. He reassured the public that discussions are open to address any concerns and urged for solidarity during this challenging time.
Ministry Of Civil Aviation’s Intervention:
The disruptions prompted the Ministry of Civil Aviation to intervene, seeking a detailed report from Air India Express. The ministry urged the airline to swiftly resolve the issues and ensure that affected passengers are provided with necessary facilities as per DGCA norms.
Allegations Of Senior Crew Members’ Conduct:
Sources within the ministry disclosed that the disruptions began on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning due to a sudden shortage of crew members. Allegations surfaced regarding senior crew members switching off their mobile phones just before flight operations, citing health issues.
Meanwhile, Air India Express’s decision to terminate cabin crew members amidst the disruption to flight operations underscores the seriousness with which the airline is addressing the situation. As investigations continue and discussions ensue, the focus remains on restoring normalcy to ensure passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Also Read: Cabin Crew Mass Sick Leave Disrupts Air India Express Operations Amid Transition
