After two and a half days of disruption, Air India Express and its cabin crew reached a resolution, ending the strike that led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The airline has agreed to withdraw termination letters issued to 25 cabin crew members who called in sick as a protest against alleged mismanagement. The strike’s end brings relief to stranded passengers and restores normalcy to flight operations.
Challenges Faced and Resolution Offered
The strike began when a section of Air India Express cabin crew reported sick, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Passengers experienced inconvenience as flights were disrupted due to the sudden shortage of cabin crew. In response, the airline issued termination letters to around 25 cabin crew members.
The protesting cabin crew members highlighted various issues, including the merger with AIX Connect (formerly Air Asia), as the catalyst for their action. They raised concerns about room sharing, lack of proper support, revised salary structures, and alleged differential treatment of experienced crew members.
The civil aviation ministry intervened, seeking a report from Air India Express on the flight cancellations and the issues raised by the cabin crew. In light of the escalating situation, a meeting between the Air India Express union and the company management was convened on Thursday, where both sides agreed to cooperate.
In a positive development, the unhappy cabin crew members expressed readiness to return to work immediately, and the management reciprocated by indicating willingness to revoke the termination of those who had been sacked.
To mitigate the impact on passengers, Air India Express apologised for the disruptions and offered refunds or alternative flight bookings. Additionally, the airline decided to curtail flights until May 13 and sought support from Air India to operate on 20 routes. Despite the challenges faced, the resolution of the strike marks a step towards restoring normalcy to flight operations and addressing the grievances of the cabin crew.
The end of the strike brings relief to affected passengers, who can expect flight operations to gradually return to normal. However, the incident underscores the importance of effective communication and conflict resolution mechanisms within airlines to prevent similar disruptions in the future. As Air India Express works to resolve internal issues, passengers are encouraged to stay updated on their flight status and avail of the options provided by the airline for refunds or rescheduling.
