More than 70 Air India Express flights, including both domestic and international routes, faced cancellations from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning. Additionally, numerous other flights experienced delays during this period.
An Air India Express spokesperson has urged passengers scheduled to fly on Wednesday to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
The sudden wave of cancellations has been attributed to a significant number of cabin crew members reporting sick at the eleventh hour, beginning Tuesday night.
Insiders in the aviation sector, speaking to news agency ANI, revealed that the cancellations occurred due to a mass sick leave taken by senior crew members.
According to sources cited by PTI, the cancellations stem from a shortage of cabin crew, with some employees allegedly calling in sick in protest against perceived mismanagement within the airline.
Discontent among a segment of the cabin crew has been brewing for some time, particularly since the commencement of merger talks involving Air India Express (AIX) Connect, previously known as AirAsia India.
In response to the disruptions, Air India Express issued a statement acknowledging the situation, attributing the cancellations to crew sickness and assuring passengers that efforts are underway to minimize inconvenience.
Regarding refunds for affected travelers, the airline spokesperson assured that passengers impacted by cancellations would be eligible for a full refund or rescheduling without additional charges.
Angry passengers have taken to social media platforms to express their frustration. Videos from various airports depict scenes of travelers seeking clarification from airline representatives after last-minute cancellations and delays.
Amidst the turmoil, calls to avoid booking with Air India Express have surfaced online, following reports of crew members allegedly switching off their mobile phones after calling in sick.
