Air India Express flights disrupted for second day as cabin crew call in sick in revolt over merger
- More than 100 Air India Express cabin crew reported sick before their rostered flight duty at the last minute, forcing 85 flights to be cancelled on Thursday
- Reports linked the staff discontent to new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by new ownership. The carrier is expanding and is integrating with AirAsia India
Air India’s budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 85 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute.
The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier.
Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership.
The carrier is currently integrating with AirAsia India as part of its aggressive expansion plans.
Air India Express said in a statement that it had made “every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests” but had been forced to cancel 85 flights on Thursday.
“We urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport,” it added.
