Air India Express cancels flights for 2nd day; aviation ministry seeks report on cancellations

Passengers of Air India Express found themselves stranded for the second consecutive day as flights scheduled to various destinations from Kerala airports were unexpectedly cancelled, leaving travellers frustrated and inconvenienced.

Meanwhile, as per a report by Financial Express, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has sought a report from the airline regarding the slew of cancellations and has asked the airline to resolve the issue immediately. This comes after over 90 flights were cancelled by Air India express over the past two days after cabin crew called in sick to protest against alleged mismanagement.

Air India Express flights cancelled

Disappointment swept through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kannur airports as flights to Gulf nations were abruptly called off at the last minute.

Expressing their dismay, passengers recounted promises made by the airline, only to be let down. "I was assured by Air India Express yesterday that I can travel to Qatar on Thursday. But they did not keep their promise. I was told at the last moment that my flight has been cancelled again for the second consecutive day," voiced an aggrieved passenger at Karipur airport in Kozhikode.

Another passenger, facing the looming expiration of his work visa, recounted being given assurances for a flight the following day after yesterday's cancellation, only to find himself in the same predicament. "When I arrived here (Thiruvananthapuram airport), the airline told me that the flight was cancelled. If I do not reach my place of work by tonight, my visa will expire and I will lose my job," he lamented.

Amid the chaos, passengers sought alternatives, with one expressing frustration over the lack of assistance from the airline. "Why can't they help us get tickets on another airline? Let them charge us for that," he demanded.

Meanwhile, Air India in a statement has mentioned that it will operate 20 flights on AI Express routes to minimise the disruptions.

Cabin crew terminated

In response to the mass cancellations, Air India Express took drastic measures, issuing termination letters to around 25 cabin crew members who reported sick, allegedly leading to the cancellation of more than 90 flights. The Tata Group-owned airline also issued an ultimatum to remaining cabin crew members, demanding their return to duty by 4 pm on Thursday or face termination.

The airline cited the non-availability of cabin crew as the cause for canceling at least 60 flights on Thursday, attributing the situation to mass leaves by a section of the cabin crew, which has resulted in immense inconvenience to passengers.

Also Watch: DGCA imposes Rs 1.10 crore fine on Air India for safety violations