Air India Express issued termination letters to nearly 25 cabin crew members late night on May 8 after over 200 of them reported “sick” to protest against alleged discriminatory practices following the airline’s merger with erstwhile AirAsia India.
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On the third day of the stir, the airline said that it will be cancelling 85 flights and Air India will operate on 20 of its routes to support Air India Express.
In one of the letters addressed to a cabin crew informing him of his immediate termination, the airline said, “your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding to not operate the flight and disrupt services of the company. This is not only in violation of the applicable laws but also violates the Air India Express Limited Employees’ Service Rules.”
The Chief Labour Commissioner has called a conciliation meeting of representatives of the airline management and cabin crew for May 9 where the issue of termination is also expected to be raised.
The airline’s CEO, Aloke Singh, will also be holding a meeting with cabin crew.
