Air India Express dismisses cabin crew members for ‘premeditated’ sick leave

After around 91 flights were canceled since Tuesday as more than 100 cabin crew members failed to report for duty in protest, Air India Express on Wednesday reportedly sent termination letters to several of the agitating employees.

The protesting cabin crew members had called in sick, causing flights to be canceled and delayed and hundreds of passengers to be stranded at various airports since Tuesday evening.

In the dismissal letter, sent to one of the employees, the airline stated that the cabin crew members called in sick “around the same time”… clearly indicating a premeditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason.

In the termination letter, which was widely shared on social media, Tata’s airline added: “Your act of calling in sick for work amounts to a joint action with a common understanding, not to operate the flight and disrupt the airline’s services.” This is not only contrary to applicable laws, but also contrary to the Air India Express Limited Employees’ Service Rules applicable to you.”

According to Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express, more than a hundred cabin crew members had reported sick just before their scheduled flight since Tuesday evening.

Notably, Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), both subsidiaries of Tata Group-owned Air India, are in the process of merging to create a unified low-cost airline. However, Air India Express cabin crew members are protesting the alleged ‘disparity’ in their treatment compared to their counterparts at AIX Connect, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Last month, Vistara, which is also merging with Air India, had to cancel 10 percent of its flights due to pilot dissatisfaction over tight schedules and a new pay package as part of the airline’s merger with Air India.

First print: May 9, 2024 | 02:23 IST