Air India Express crisis: 25 crew suspended amid mass sick leave chaos

• Air India Express suspends 25 cabin crew members following mass sick leave reports, leading to the cancellation of over 90 flights
• CEO Aloke Singh announces a reduction of approximately 40 flights per day until May 13th in response to the disruption
• The crisis exacerbates challenges in the Indian aviation industry, with concerns over passenger inconvenience and broader sector stability

Air India Express, faced with a crisis as over a hundred cabin crew members reported sick in the span of a week, has taken drastic measures. The airline, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, has suspended 25 cabin crew members, following the abrupt and premature sickness reports, leading to the cancellation of over 90 flights.This unexpected turn of events has prompted the airline to reduce its daily flight schedule by approximately 40 flights until May 13th, impacting both domestic and international routes.

The CEO of Air India Express, Aloke Singh, stated that the disruption was disproportionate, primarily affecting flights where colleagues assigned L1 roles were involved. This incident adds to the already strained situation in the Indian aviation industry, with airlines like IndiGo, GoAir, and SpiceJet facing their own challenges, including grounded planes and operational constraints.

Travelers affected by the cancellations may face difficulties, despite the airline's offer of full refunds or complimentary rescheduling, as they might have to secure last-minute tickets at inflated prices on other carriers. Meanwhile, concerns mount over the broader stability of the industry, with recent issues at Vistara adding to the sector's turbulence.