AI contract workers’ strike hits flights in Mumbai

mumbai — As many as 37 Air India flights, including some international ones, were affected after a large number of contract workers resorted to a flash strike at the Mumbai airport early on Thursday against non-payment of Diwali bonus, officials said.

“Due to a sudden industrial situation at Mumbai Airport by Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL) employees, some flights have got delayed. We are assessing the situation and all efforts are being made to minimise the delays or disruptions,” the national carrier tweeted.

Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the national carrier, provides ground handling services to Air India across airports in the country. It has about 5,000 employees, including those on contract.

“Some AIATSL employees at the Mumbai airport are on strike since Wednesday-Thursday (intervening) night over non-payment of Diwali Bonus, leading to disruption in services. These employees, however, are on contract,” an official said.

To tackle the situation, the AI summoned the permanent employees to normalise the flight operations, especially the early morning departures which were delayed by around two hours. —