Hundreds of Omani residents were left stranded in India after Air India Express cancelled all five flights to Muscat on May 9, 2024. This decision was made as a result of a cabin crew strike that began on Tuesday evening. The affected flights included routes from Mumbai, Calicut, Kannur, Mangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram to Muscat International Airport. In total, at least 85 flights were cancelled as a section of the cabin crew was fired for calling in sick and switching off their phones.
The situation caused inconvenience to around 15,000 passengers, prompting Air India Express, which is now a subsidiary of Tata Group-owned Air India, to terminate the services of the 30 cabin crew members who went on mass sick leave without notice. This action led to the cancellation of over 100 flights affecting both domestic and international routes, including those to Muscat. The airline assured that it is making every effort to minimize the inconvenience caused to the affected passengers by this unexpected situation.
In response to the cancellations, Tata Group-owned Air India Express announced that it would be operating 292 flights on Thursday with Air India stepping in to operate 20 of Air India Express routes. This move was intended to minimize the impact of the canceled flights and to ensure that passengers were able to reach their destinations as soon as possible. The termination of the cabin crew members who participated in the strike was meant to send a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated by the airline.
Travel agents confirmed that all five flights to Muscat International Airport were cancelled on Thursday, leaving passengers stranded in India. The cancellations affected flights from various cities in India including Mumbai, Calicut, Kannur, Mangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram. The situation unfolded after nearly 300 employees of Air India Express called in sick and turned off their phones, prompting the airline to take action and terminate the services of those involved in the strike.
Despite the disruptions caused by the cancellations, Air India Express expressed its commitment to its passengers and announced that it was working to minimize the impact of the situation. The airline assured that it was making every possible effort to assist affected passengers and to get them to their respective destinations as soon as possible. The termination of the cabin crew members who participated in the strike was part of the airline’s efforts to uphold its commitment to providing reliable and efficient service to its passengers.
In conclusion, the cancellations of all Air India Express flights to Muscat on May 9, 2024, left hundreds of Omani residents stranded in India. The cancellations were a result of a cabin crew strike that led to the termination of several employees involved in the industrial action. Air India Express and Tata Group-owned Air India took steps to mitigate the impact of the canceled flights by operating additional services and ensuring that affected passengers were accommodated on alternative flights. Despite the disruptions, the airlines emphasized their commitment to providing excellent service to passengers and working to resolve the situation promptly.
