The ongoing Air India Express strike has led to the cancellation of over 100 flights, leaving around 15,000 passengers stranded. As the stalemate persists, more flights from Kerala were abruptly cancelled, adding to the chaos.
In a significant disruption to travel plans, Air India Express faced another day of flight cancellations primarily due to cabin crew members calling in sick in protest against alleged mismanagement within the Tata Group-owned airline. Passengers bound for UAE from Kerala were particularly affected, with flights scheduled until Monday being called off without prior notice, leaving passengers in limbo regarding refunds or alternative arrangements.
To mitigate the shortage of cabin crew, the airline has decided to reduce flights until May 13, impacting its daily operations that usually encompass around 360 flights both domestically and internationally. Amidst this turmoil, the civil aviation ministry has intervened, seeking a detailed report from Air India Express on the flight cancellations and urging prompt resolution of the issues.
The discontent among cabin crew members has been brewing for some time, aggravated by the proposed merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express. This unrest echoes recent challenges faced by other Tata Group airlines, including Vistara, which had to slash flight capacity due to pilot shortages.
In response to the crisis, Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh assured staff of efforts to address concerns while acknowledging the disruptions to flight schedules. The airline has offered full refunds or rescheduling options to affected passengers, urging them to verify flight status before heading to the airport.
As the stalemate persists, the civil aviation ministry has stepped in, calling for swift resolution and ensuring passenger welfare. However, with grievances lingering among cabin crew members, the path to restoring normalcy remains uncertain.
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