Air India Express, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, took swift action on 8 May, terminating 25 cabin crew members who called in sick as a form of protest against management policies. In a direct response to what the airline deemed a pre-planned disruption, the company cited breach of contract conditions and immediate termination of employment for the protesting crew.
The terminated employees were accused of violating employment terms, which require crew members to be available for assigned duties and maintain high standards of conduct.
The airline’s letter to employees outlined the severity of the situation. The letter stated that the coordinated absence of crew members severely disrupted flight schedules, leading to substantial inconvenience for passengers and significant financial losses for the company. The termination came with immediate effect, rendering the terminated employees ineligible for any further employment benefits.
Furthermore, Air India issued an ultimatum to remaining sick-reported crew, demanding their return to duty by 4 pm on Thursday, 9th May, or face similar consequences.
The disruption caused by the protest resulted in the cancellation of at least 60 flights for Thursday alone, affecting numerous passengers. The airline, known for its significant operations to Gulf destinations, has been compelled to reduce flight operations until 13 May, due to the shortage of cabin crew.
Discontent amongst Air India Express cabin crew has been simmering for some time, particularly following the announcement of a merger with Air India Express Connect (formerly AirAsia India) as part of the Tata Group’s consolidation of its aviation holdings. The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), representing a significant portion of the senior cabin crew, has levelled accusations of mismanagement and a lack of transparency in HR practices against the airline.
