Air India Express revokes termination of 25 crew members

Air India Express management on Thursday (May 9), following a meeting that went on for about four and half hours, came up with a decision to overturn the termination of 25 crew members and restore normal operations.

The meeting took place between the representatives of Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) and airline management where the decision to put an end to the strike and withdrawal of the termination letters was agreed upon. It was held at the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC).

As per news agency PTI, there will be another meeting again between both parties on May 28 where the issues will be discussed.

After a detailed discussion, following the appeal of the Conciliation Officer and the Chief Labour Commissioner, the union representatives agreed that "all the cabin crew members who have reported sick will report for duty with fitness certificate immediately," reported PTI citing a document signed by the representatives of the union and the airline.

"On appeal of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), the management agreed to reinstate 25 cabin crew who have been terminated on May 7 and 8, 2024 for reporting sick as a concerted action immediately."

"The management will review the cases of these crew as per service regulations," it said.

Earlier in the day, Air India Express fired nearly 25 cabin crew after around 300 employees went on 'mass sick leave' and switched off their phones, causing large-scale flight disruptions.

The mass sick leave led to the cancellation of around 86 international and domestic flights on May 8 and 76 flights on May 9.

In the termination letter sent to the 25 off-crew members, Air India Express said that their act "clearly points to a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason."

"As a result of the above, a large number of flights had to be cancelled, thereby disrupting the entire schedule, which caused tremendous inconvenience to the Company's esteemed passengers. Your act is not only subversive of public interest, but has also caused embarrassment, severe reputational damage, and serious monetary loss to the Company," the letter said.

"Your act of reporting sick for work amounts to a concerted action with a common understanding, to not operate the flight and to 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 as are applicable to you," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)