"Mass Sick Leave by Crew Leads to Cancellation of Over 70 Air India Express Flights"

Over 70 Air India Express flights faced cancellations on Wednesday as a result of a significant number of senior cabin crew members calling in sick unexpectedly, with around 300 crew members reportedly switching off their mobile phones. Air India Express management is currently attempting to contact these crew members, who are said to be protesting against new employment terms introduced by the Tata Group-owned airline.

An Air India Express spokesperson stated, "A portion of our cabin crew has reported sudden illness, starting from last night, leading to flight delays and cancellations. While we are in discussions with the crew to understand the reasons behind this, our teams are actively working to minimize inconvenience to our passengers." The airline apologized to affected passengers and assured them of either a full refund or rescheduling options.

Passengers expressed frustration on social media, highlighting a lack of prior notice about the cancellations. Some passengers had already reached the airport only to find out about the cancellations upon arrival.

Last month, a union representing Air India Express cabin crew members had raised concerns about mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff within the airline.