Air India Express 300 crew go on ‘mass sick leave’, more than 80 flights cancelled

Air India Express, a prominent airline in both international and domestic routes, found itself in a whirlwind of disruptions as over 80 flights were abruptly cancelled due to an unexpected occurrence.

More than 300 crew members reported being ‘sick’. The airline’s senior crew member disclosed this puzzling situation, sparking concerns and investigations from Civil Aviation authorities.

The fallout from this mass sick leave has been profound, with scores of flights cancelled across various key airports like Kochi, Calicut, and Bangalore. Passengers were left stranded or facing significant delays, amounting to approximately 15,000 individuals grappling with the repercussions of these cancellations.

While the exact reasons behind this sudden wave of sick leave remain unclear, speculations point towards discontent among the Air India Express staff. Allegations of mismanagement within the Tata Group-owned airline have surfaced, hinting at possible reasons for the crew’s protest.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), claiming to represent a significant portion of the cabin crew, echoed sentiments of morale depletion among its members due to managerial issues. In response to the chaos, Air India Express issued a statement acknowledging the disruptions and expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

They assured affected travelers of full refunds or rescheduling options, urging them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Social media platforms buzzed with complaints from passengers caught off guard by the sudden flight cancellations, highlighting the extent of the turmoil faced by those relying on Air India Express services.