Passengers expressed their frustration and staged protests at various airports on Wednesday. Air India Express, the low-cost aviation service of Air India, canceled more than 86 flights due to a “mass sick leave” taken by over 300 cabin crew members. Videos of angry passengers arguing with airport staff went viral on social media, showing their disappointment over last-minute flight cancellations at Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram airports.
Travelers bound for Gulf nations from Kerala claimed they were informed about the cancellations while waiting to board their flights. While Air India Express offered full refunds or flight rescheduling, some passengers demanded immediate refunds and same-day rescheduling. The situation was particularly distressing for those whose work visas expire soon, as delayed flights could potentially result in job loss.
Passengers also complained about the lack of accommodation provided by the airline, leaving them stranded at the airports until their rescheduled flights. In one video, a group of passengers can be seen confronting Air India Express staff at the counter in Delhi, expressing their frustration.
Sources revealed that the cabin crew members were protesting against the new terms of employment and compensation following the merger with Tata Group. Air India Express management is actively trying to engage with the crew to address their concerns.
An Air India Express spokesperson acknowledged the flight disruptions caused by a section of cabin crew reporting sick at the last minute and stated that efforts were being made to understand the reasons behind these occurrences and minimize passengers’ inconvenience.
