AIX sacks 25 crew members as flight disruptions continue
NEW DELHI: Air India Express sacked 25 of its crew members, who went on “sick leave” on Wednesday in protest against the merger with AirAsia India, calling the abstention “pre-meditated and concerted” and without “any justifiable reason” even as disruptions continued with the cancellation of 74 flights on Thursday. At least 160 flights have been cancelled since Wednesday.
An Air India Express statement said the airline was making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to guests and that it operated 283 flights on Thursday. “We have mobilised all resources and Air India will support us by operating on 20 of our routes. However, 85 of our flights stand cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport.”
The statement said if flights are cancelled, or delayed beyond three hours, passengers may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees.
“While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests.”
The letter said reporting sick amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding to not operate the flight and to disrupt the services of the company, which is a violation of the rules and laws.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOZHIKODE: Air India Express passengers who were promised travel to various destinations from airports in Kerala were left stranded on Thursday as their flights were unexpectedly cancelled for the second day in a row.
Travellers at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kannur airports faced disappointment when flights to Gulf nations were called off at the last minute for the second consecutive day.
This sudden cancellation has sparked frustration and caused inconvenience among passengers who relied on the airline’s assurance for their travel plans.
“I was assured by Air India Express yesterday that I can travel to Qatar on Thursday. But they did not keep their promise. I was told at the last moment that my flight has been cancelled again for the second consecutive day,” an aggrieved passenger at Karipur airport in Kozhikode told reporters.
Another passenger, who claimed his work visa would expire today, told a TV channel at Thiruvananthapuram airport that when his flight to the Gulf region was cancelled yesterday, he was given a ticket for today.
“When I arrived here (Thiruvananthapuram airport), the airline told me that the flight was cancelled. If I do not reach my place of work by tonight, my visa will expire and I will lose my job,” he said.
Another passenger at the Thiruvananthapuram airport said that AI Express asked him to take a ticket on another airline, but he was unable to do so.
“Why can’t they help us get tickets on another airline? Let them charge us for that,” he said. Air India Express has issued termination letters to around 25 cabin crew members who reported sick that led to the cancellation of more than 90 flights, airline sources said on Thursday. The Tata Groupowned airline has also given an ultimatum to the remaining cabin crew members reporting sick to join back duty by 4 pm on Thursday or face termination, they added.
Air India Express has also cancelled at least 60 flights for Thursday due to the non-availability of cabin crew, the sources said, and added that mass leaves by a section of the cabin crew have caused immense inconvenience to passengers.