Air India Express staff end strike after flight disruptions

Air India’s budget subsidiary said its cabin crew had ended a strike that caused two days of severe disruptions to its flight schedule and stranded passengers at airports across the country.

The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatize the heavily indebted carrier.

Media reports linked the sudden industrial action to simmering staff discontent over new hiring and promotion policies imposed by the company’s new ownership.

Dozens of Air India Express cabin crew staff called in sick at the last minute on Tuesday night, forcing the airline to delay or cancel at least 175 flights in the following days.

In a statement issued Thursday night, an airline spokesperson said the airline was working to “swiftly restore” its schedule after a successful meeting with staff.

The statement said, “We are pleased with the progress we made at the conciliation meeting and welcome our cabin crew colleagues back at work.”

“We sincerely apologize to those inconvenienced by these unintended disruptions,” it added.

Indian media reports said the airline had also withdrawn termination letters to at least 20 striking staff.

An Air India Express spokesperson said earlier Thursday that the airline had taken “appropriate steps against certain individuals” but did not provide further details.

According to local media, New Delhi airport saw chaotic scenes Wednesday after the strike began as agitated passengers waited for updates on delayed and canceled flights.