The mass sick leave crisis that hit Air India Express has caused chaos for passengers traveling between the UAE and India, with over a dozen flights being cancelled on the second day of the crisis. The budget airline announced that out of the 283 flights scheduled for Thursday, 85 had to be cancelled, leaving many passengers stranded and frustrated.
The list of cancelled flights includes popular routes such as Kannur-Sharjah, Sharjah-Kannur, Kannur-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi-Kannur, Dubai-Kannur, Tiruchirappalli-Dubai, Dubai-Tiruchirappalli, Mangaluru-Dubai, Dubai-Mangaluru, Amritsar-Dubai, Dubai-Amritsar, Kozhikode-Al Ain, Al Ain-Kozhikode, and Ras Al Khaimah-Kannur. The airline warned that the list is dynamic and subject to change.
Travel agents in the UAE reported that most affected passengers chose to reschedule their flights rather than seek alternative arrangements. Air India Express advised passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport and offered full refunds or rescheduling options for flights that were cancelled or delayed by more than three hours.
In a statement, the airline assured passengers that they were working to minimize the inconvenience caused by the situation and had mobilized all available resources. Air India would also be supporting them by operating on 20 routes to help alleviate the disruption. However, the airline also stated that they would be taking appropriate action against certain individuals whose actions had led to the crisis and inconvenienced thousands of passengers.
Passengers were urged to contact the airline through Tia on WhatsApp or the airline’s website for assistance with rescheduling or refunds. Air India Express emphasized their commitment to addressing any concerns raised by their cabin crew colleagues and reassured passengers that they were doing everything possible to resolve the situation.
The ongoing crisis has highlighted the challenges faced by airlines during the pandemic, as staffing issues and operational disruptions continue to impact the industry. Passengers are advised to stay informed and be prepared for potential changes to their travel plans as airlines work to navigate these difficult circumstances.