Air India Express recently terminated 25 cabin crew members after hundreds called in sick, causing disruptions in flight operations. The management considered this absenteeism as unprofessional behavior and a violation of employee service rules, resulting in immediate termination. The mass sick leave led to the cancellation of over 95 flights, affecting more than 10,000 passengers. CEO Aloke Singh announced plans to reduce flight operations in response to the incident, emphasizing that the actions of a few do not represent the dedication of the majority of cabin crew members.
Singh acknowledged the commitment of the majority of the airline’s cabin crew and invited staff for discussions to address any concerns. The Ministry of Civil Aviation requested a detailed report from Air India Express to address the cancellations and delays that occurred due to the sudden shortage of crew members. The ministry urged the airline to resolve the issues promptly and ensure that passengers are provided with necessary facilities as per DGCA norms.
The decision to terminate the cabin crew members was made due to their actions violating employment contracts, resulting in disruptions to flight operations. The employees’ premeditated mass sick leave led to expats being stranded and flights to the UAE being affected. Singh expressed gratitude to the cabin crew members who continued to fulfill their duties with dedication and pride, contrasting their actions with those who called in sick unexpectedly.
Despite the disruptions caused by the mass sick leave, Singh emphasized that the behavior of a few crew members does not represent the entire cabin crew’s dedication to serving guests. The CEO assured that communication channels are open for staff to address any concerns they may have and work towards resolving the issues that led to the disruptions. The airline’s focus is now on mitigating the impact of the disruptions and ensuring that flight operations return to normalcy.
