Air India Express Cancels Flights Amid Cabin Crew Protests
Air India Express, a low-cost carrier owned by the Tata Group, has been forced to cancel numerous flights due to a shortage of cabin crew members. Sources report that a section of the crew has been calling in sick to protest alleged mismanagement within the airline.
Discontent among the cabin crew has been simmering for some time, particularly since the announcement of the merger between Air India Express and AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India. The sources claim that several crew members began reporting sick on Monday evening, leading to flight cancellations at airports like Kochi, Calicut, and Bangalore.
Adding to the tension, the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) has accused the airline of mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff. The union, which represents around 300 senior cabin crew members, claims that the situation has negatively impacted employee morale.
Passengers have taken to social media to express their frustration over the sudden flight cancellations. Air India Express has apologized for the inconvenience, citing "operational reasons" for the cancellations. The airline has offered passengers the option to reschedule their flights within the next seven days or request a full refund.
This incident comes just a month after Tata Group's full-service carrier, Vistara, faced pilot shortages that led to a temporary 10% reduction in capacity. The Tata Group is currently in the process of consolidating its airline business, merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India.