Air India Express Cancels Over 80 Flights As Crew Goes On Mass Leave

Flights of Air India Express faced delays and cancellations from Tuesday night after senior crew members of the airline went on mass "sick leave".

A section of cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting Tuesday night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations, the airline said in an official statement.

As many as 86 flights have been affected in the latest bout of disruption, which saw up to 300 senior cabin crew across India calling in sick and switching off their mobile phones, NDTV reported. The recent protest came after management rolled out its new employment terms.

Crew members went on strike citing lack of equality in treatment post-merger with the Tata Group, and lower job positions being offered despite clearing interviews, NDTV has learnt from people aware of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Key parts of the compensation package have been modified or removed, and management has been shutting down dissenting voices, people said.

"While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result," the company statement said.

Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date, the spokesperson said. "We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption."

The Tata Group-owned company's latest troubles come after its other airline's—Vistara—pilots sought sick leave en masse early last month, which led to 35 to 50 flights being disrupted. NDTV Profit earlier reported that this was due to the revised salary system the airline was trying to implement ahead of its merger with Air India.

Air India was reported to send its first officers to the Tata Group's Vistara as a resolution to the crisis.