air-india-express-fires-25-cabin-crew-members-after-mass-sick-leave-protest

Air India Express has fired at least 25 cabin crew a day after around 300 airline employees called in sick and switched off their phones, leading to a large-scale flight disruption.

 

The number of employees laid off is expected to rise, and management is likely to hold a town hall meeting with cabin crew members today. 76 flights have been impacted today, including cancellations and flights that may be operated by other group airlines.

 

Around 25 employees (cabin crew members) of Air India Express Airlines have been terminated after they didn't report to work, and due to their behaviour, thousands of passengers suffered: Airline Sources

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2024

Air India Express is a low-cost subsidiary of Air India now owned by the Tata Group. 

 

Breaking: Air India Express issues termination letters to some of its cabin crew in response to nearly 220 of them reporting “sick” to mark their protest over issues emanating from the airline’s merger with AirAsia India pic.twitter.com/QuM5OmvWYW

— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) May 8, 2024

The employees have been protesting against new employment terms. The crew, the sources said, has alleged a lack of equality in the treatment of staff. They have claimed that some staff members have been offered lower job roles despite clearing interviews for senior positions.

 

The crew has also flagged some modifications in their compensation package.

 

The Tata Group has faced fresh trouble as its full-service carrier, Vistara, recently witnessed disruptions due to protests by pilots over changes in their pay packages, adding to the Air India Express crisis.