Air India Express Flight Cancellations Impact 15,000 Amid Crew Shortage

Air India Express, a Tata Group-owned airline, has faced significant operational disruptions, cancelling over 100 flights since Tuesday night due to a cabin crew shortage. This situation has affected approximately 15,000 passengers, with the airline having to curtail flights until May 13. The cancellations and delays, particularly impacting flights to the Gulf, have led to protests by passengers at airports in Kerala. The Civil Aviation Ministry has sought a report from Air India Express and urged swift resolution of the issues.

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The airline operates around 360 flights daily to domestic and international destinations. However, more than 200 cabin crew members have reported sick, leading to widespread flight disruptions across various airports including Kochi, Calicut, Delhi, and Bengaluru. This has not only affected domestic services but also international flights to Gulf countries. In response to the crisis, Air India Express plans to leverage synergies with other Tata Group airlines such as Air India and Vistara.

An Air India Express spokesperson acknowledged the disruption and the inconvenience caused to passengers, stating that the airline is in talks with the cabin crew to understand their grievances. The spokesperson also extended an apology to those impacted by the cancellations and offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling. Discontent among the cabin crew has been growing, particularly after plans were announced to merge AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with Air India Express.

Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express, confirmed that over 100 cabin crew members reported sick at the last minute, severely disrupting operations. He emphasized that the leadership is open for discussions to address any concerns. The airline has revised its flight schedule and is accommodating affected guests on alternative flights, including those of group airlines.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has advised Air India Express to ensure proper facilities for passengers while airport operators have been requested to assist affected passengers proactively. Additionally, last month's allegations by the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), which represents around 300 cabin crew members, highlighted concerns over mismanagement and its impact on employee morale.

In a related incident, a passenger shared her distress over being unable to travel from Kannur to Sharjah with her twin babies and husband due to the cancellations. She expressed concern over rejoining work late as the airline offered her an alternative flight from Kochi only on May 10. Congress leader K C Venugopal has called for immediate intervention by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to resolve the ongoing strike at the airline.

This series of events underscores the challenges faced by Air India Express in managing its operations amidst internal discontent and highlights the broader implications for passengers relying on its services.