Air India Express cancels over 80 flights as cabin crew reports sick
Air India Express on Wednesday said that it has cancelled some flights due to a shortage of cabin crew members as a section of them reported sick.
Sources said the airline has been forced to cancel over 80 flights starting last night as more than 200 cabin crew has reported sick protesting against the airline’s HR practices. Air India Express operates around 360 flights per day.
«A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, 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 minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result,” a spokesperson of the airline said.
Passengers impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date.
A union of the airline which said it has over 300 cabin crew as its members had earlier said that the airline is being mismanaged and there is a lack of equality in treatment of the staff.
According to the letter sent to N Chandrsekaran, chairman of Tata group in April, various allowances, including HRA, which were part of the compensation prior to the merger have been removed. This has resulted in significant salary cuts despite the airline consistently posting profits, it added.
«There is a glaring lack of equality in the treatment of employees. Salaries, experience and merits are being disregarded, with internal job postings now being filled by candidates external
