Air India Express faced a significant setback as it abruptly cancelled 78 flights and experienced delays in numerous others, causing extensive disruption to its services. The disruption stemmed from a mass sick leave declared by cabin crew members, marking their protest against the ongoing transition within the airline.
The turbulence within the company is notable, particularly following the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) approval in 2023. This approval greenlit the Tata Group’s proposal to merge the budget carrier AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with Air India Express.
As per reports, the airline has indicated that the transition has triggered discontent among senior employees, particularly the cabin crew.
According to an official statement by the airline spokesperson, “A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night (Tuesday), resulting in flight delays and cancellations.”
“While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences. Our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimize any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result,” the spokesperson stated.
Expressing regret over the disruptions, the spokesperson further added, “We sincerely apologize to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasize that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date.”
The abrupt disruption in operations underscores the challenges the airline faces amid internal discontent amidst a significant organizational overhaul.
As Air India Express navigates through this period of transition, restoring operational stability and addressing employee grievances are likely to remain at the forefront of its priorities.
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