Aviation Bloodbath: India’s Biggest Airlines Fires 10% Workforce; Air India Staff Protest LWP

The aviation industry in India is under severe threat right now, as India’s biggest and most powerful airlines have decided to fire 10% of their workforce.

This is the first time that such a drastic measure has been taken by them.

Meanwhile, Air India employees, including pilots are vigorously protesting against the leave without pay enforced for upto 5 years.

Where is the aviation industry moving towards?

Indigo Will Fire 10% Of Employees

In a shocking development, India’s largest airlines: Indigo has decided to fire 10% of their entire workforce.

There were 23,531 employees with Indigo as of March, 2020, and this massive layoff means that more than 2300 employees will be fired.

Indigo CEO has described this as a sacrifice to ensure the airlines survive.

His words expressed remorse and sadness, as CEO Ronojoy Dutta said, “From where things stand currently, it is impossible for our company to fly through this economic storm without making some sacrifices, in order to sustain our business operations.”

He added that this is the first time such drastic measure has been ever taken at Indigo.

Domestic airlines have lost 84% of business in June, compared to the same period last year as only 1.98 million people took to the air route to reach their destinations.

Drastic, unprecedented times for the aviation industry in India.

Air India Employees, Pilots Protest Against Leave Without Pay

Meanwhile, the situation for India’s national carrier is not so pleasant as well.

After Air India management imposed leave without pay for most of the employees, and in some cases upto 5 years, there is mounting pressure to reverse this decision.

After Air India employees expressed their dissatisfaction, Air India pilots too have joined the protests.

Air India’s pilots’ union, Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) shot off am angry letter to Air India chairman and MD Rajiv Bansal, wherein they described this move of leave without pay as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The letter said, “The proposal was verbally explained to us without any written true copy. However, the said proposal is not acceptable to us as it is against the fundamental right, right to equality, guaranteed to us by the Constitution,”

Four unions which include Aviation Industry Employees Guild, All India Service Engineers Association and All India Aircraft Engineers Association have joined forces to condemn and protest this leave without pay.

We will keep you updated, as more details come in.