Air India Express Faces Schedule Curtailment Due to Cabin Crew Shortage
Air India Express Faces Schedule Curtailment Due to Cabin Crew Shortage
Air India Express, the budget airline and subsidiary of Air India, has been forced to curtail its flight schedule for the next several days. This comes after over a hundred cabin crew members called in sick since Tuesday evening, according to a letter from the airline’s Managing Director, Alok Singh. The disruptions have resulted in network-wide disruptions, affecting over 90 flights. The cabin crew members, mostly senior members, reported sick in protest against changes in the carrier’s human resources policies.
The merger of Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) has led to increased hiring of cabin crew to support the airline’s expansion. However, the fact that senior members called in sick has had a disproportionate impact on the airline’s network. Passengers affected by the disruptions have taken to social media to complain about cancellations and long delays.
Ministry of Civil Aviation Requests Report and Assistance
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has asked Air India Express to furnish a report on flight cancellations and resolve the issues promptly. The ministry has also advised the airline to ensure proper facilities for affected passengers as per regulations. Additionally, airport operators have been requested to provide assistance to affected passengers.
In response to the situation, Singh has assured employees that all communication channels with the airline’s leadership are open for addressing concerns. A town hall meeting has been preponed to Thursday in an attempt to defuse the crisis.
Union Complaints and Merger Concerns
In April, the Air India Express Employees Union, which represents 300 senior cabin crew members, wrote to Tata Group and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran, alleging mismanagement and a lack of equality in treatment of employees. The union claimed that experience and merit were being disregarded, and external candidates were being preferred over eligible and qualified internal candidates. The union also expressed concerns about reduced take-home pay due to the merger and the removal of certain allowances.
Sources within the airline have indicated that the merger has led to a shift towards a merit-based appreciation system instead of one based on seniority. This change has caused discontent among a section of the cabin crew, particularly the senior members. Additional hiring of fresh cabin crew has also raised concerns among existing crew members about career progression.
The Tata Group is currently in the process of consolidating its airline business by merging Air India Express and AIX Connect into one budget airline under the Air India Express brand. On the full-service carrier front, Vistara will be merged with Air India. However, the experience both in India and globally has shown that airline mergers can be extremely complicated, especially when it comes to staff integration.
Air India Express Responds to Disruptions
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, an Air India Express spokesperson acknowledged the disruptions caused by the sick cabin crew members. The airline is actively engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind the occurrences and minimize inconvenience for passengers. Guests impacted by cancellations are being offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Passengers flying with the airline are advised to check if their flight is affected before heading to the airport.
Despite the current challenges, Air India Express remains committed to addressing the concerns of its employees and achieving its vision of growth and expansion. The airline’s management encourages senior cabin crew members to contribute to the airline’s development and success.
