Air India Express has cancelled more than 80 flights and delayed several others after a section of its cabin crew members took sick leave to protest certain airline policies. The disruptions have particularly affected flights from Kerala’s four international airports, including Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur.
A spokesperson for Air India Express stated that the airline is in talks with the crew members to understand the reasons behind the mass sick leave and has apologised for the inconvenience caused. Several international flights, including those to Sharjah, Bahrain, Muscat, and Dammam, have been cancelled. Domestic flights, such as the Bengaluru-bound service from Cochin, were also affected.
Passengers were caught by surprise, learning of the cancellations only upon arriving at the airports. Many travelers are now facing uncertainty, with some fearing the loss of jobs due to missed flights. The airline has assured that it will assist stranded passengers by booking them on other available flights, though the timeline for resumption of regular services remains unclear.