GURUGRAM- Tata-owned budget carrier Air India Express (IX) has dismissed approximately 25 cabin crew members following a significant number of employees calling in sick and failing to show up for work, causing disruptions to flight schedules.
Insiders from the airline revealed that on Wednesday, the management took action against cabin crew members who had called in sick between Tuesday and Wednesday (May 8, 2024), attributing their absence to unprofessional conduct. This conduct was deemed to have caused inconvenience to thousands of passengers.
Air India Express Fires Cabin Crew
The collective sick leave was viewed as a deliberate and coordinated refusal to work without valid justification, thereby breaching the employee service regulations of Air India Express Limited.
The termination of these employees was based on their actions breaching the terms specified in their employment agreements, resulting in their immediate dismissal.
The extensive sick leave taken collectively led to disruptions in over 95 Air India Express flights from Tuesday evening through Wednesday, affecting upwards of 10,000 passengers.
The flight disruptions, stemming from the delayed or canceled flights due to cabin crew absenteeism, prompted Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh to announce forthcoming reductions in flight operations to address the situation.
CEO Statement
Aloke Singh remarked that since Tuesday evening, “Over 100 cabin crew members have called in sick just before their scheduled flight duties, causing severe disruptions to our operations. This was particularly impactful as many of these colleagues held crucial L1 roles, disrupting over 90 flights, despite other colleagues fulfilling their duties.”
He stressed that the actions of a few individuals do not reflect the dedication of most of the airline’s cabin crew, who continue to serve passengers with commitment and integrity.
“This behavior does not represent the dedication of our company’s approximately 2,000 cabin crew members, who remain committed to their duties and serve our passengers with pride. I am grateful to all those who are supporting the airline during this challenging time,” he stated in a release.
Singh invited staff for discussions, aiming to address any concerns they might have, and reassured them that all communication channels are open.
Enquiry by MoCA
The series of cancellations and delays prompted the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to request a comprehensive report from Air India Express. The ministry emphasized the need for swift resolution of issues and ensuring that passengers receive appropriate facilities in accordance with DGCA norms.
Insiders from the ministry disclosed that the disruptions, starting Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday morning, resulted in the scaling back of flight operations due to an unexpected shortage of crew members.
Some senior crew members turned off their mobile phones just before flight operations, citing health issues.
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