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Air India Express Skipped Critical Engine Fix, Falsified Maintenance Records: DGCA Report

July 5, 2025, 9:47 am

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), flagged Air India Express in March for failing to carry out crucial engine part replacements on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft, despite safety directives from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The issue came to light as India’s aviation sector faces mounting scrutiny in the wake of a fatal Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

Airline Accused of Falsifying Maintenance Logs

A Reuters investigation based on official documents revealed that the low-cost carrier under Tata Group not only skipped the required repairs but also manipulated maintenance records to falsely indicate compliance.

The airline operates a fleet of over 115 planes and handles approximately 500 daily flights to more than 50 domestic and international destinations.

Specific Airbus Aircraft VT-ATD Under Watch

On March 18, the DGCA raised red flags regarding aircraft VT-ATD, an Airbus A320 that operates on both domestic and international routes such as Dubai and Muscat. The DGCA had earlier pulled up the parent airline, Air India, for operating three Airbus jets with overdue emergency escape slide checks.

Additionally, the regulator reprimanded the airline again in June for serious violations of pilot duty hour regulations.

Safety Risk Warning by DGCA

The DGCA’s official notice stated, “This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of affected parts, possibly resulting in high energy debris release, with consequent damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane.”

Issue Traced Back to Global Engine Manufacturer Warning

The safety concern stems from CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines, where EASA, in 2023, found manufacturing defects in components like seals and rotating parts. CFM International is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

EASA had issued a directive mandating all airlines using the affected engines to replace the flawed components within a fixed deadline.

Falsified Software Records Raised Alarm

A confidential government memo from March 2024, reviewed by Reuters, showed that Air India Express failed to conduct the required replacements in time. To make matters worse, the airline allegedly tampered with AMOS, the maintenance tracking software used industry-wide, to show that the job had been completed when it hadn’t.

Airline Admits Fault, Vows Correction

According to Reuters, Air India Express acknowledged the lapse and assured that corrective measures are now in place to prevent recurrence.

Air India Express Flight Halted: Passengers Stranded

June 15, 2025, 5:14 pm

An Air India Express flight heading to Kolkata ran into an unexpected hiccup on Saturday, leaving passengers stranded on the runway for over an hour. Flight IX 1511 was ready for takeoff from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad when a sudden technical snag brought everything to a halt.

The crew detected the issue just before departure. The plane had to remain grounded while engineers worked to resolve it. The delay left many fliers frustrated, though the airline later apologised and offered full refunds or free rescheduling.

Technical Issue Grounds Flight IX 1511 on Runway

The aircraft had already taxied and was moments away from takeoff when the crew noticed something wasn’t right. While the exact nature of the technical snag hasn’t been revealed, airport officials said the pilots flagged the issue just in time, leading to engineers being called in on the spot.

Hindon Airport, usually known for its defence operations, has only recently started handling civilian flights.

This delay is a bit of a blow to its efforts to establish itself as an alternative to Delhi’s crowded IGI Airport. This is especially better for regional travellers.

Airline Responds with Apology and Options for Affected Passengers

Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, issued a statement addressing the incident. “Our Hindon-Kolkata flight operated, with a delay, due to a snag on the originally assigned aircraft.

Guests were offered complimentary rescheduling or cancellation with a full refund. We regret the inconvenience,” said a spokesperson for the airline.

Passengers were understandably frustrated by the delay, though many appreciated the airline’s quick response and refund offer. The issue was handled smoothly on the ground, and the flight took off once engineers gave the green light.

Airline staff said last-minute snags like this, while rare, must be fixed right away. This is required for safety and to ensure passengers’ comfort.

Air India Express Officials Deny Surat-Bangkok Flight Ran Out of Liquor | Report

December 23, 2024, 12:55 pm

It’s because of an unusual reason that the first Air India Express flight connecting Surat and Bangkok has sparked curiosity. Several reports have surfaced which claim that passengers consumed so much alcohol during the flight that the crew ran out of stock. However, officials at Air India Express denied these claims.

The four-hour flight from Surat, Gujarat, to Bangkok, Thailand, flew 175 passengers and six crew members on Friday. Shortly after landing in Bangkok, videos had begun surfacing online stating that the airline had consumed all of its alcohol for the duration of the trip. The stories were widely published by news media.

A report in The Times of India said that the aircraft had 15 liters of premium alcohol worth over Rs. 1.8 lakh. It further accused that the stock was drawn out before the flight arrived in Bangkok.

However, officials of Air India Express denied the above reports. According to budget airline, sales of alcoholic beverages onboard the flight had been brisk, but its stock had not been exhausted, as social media posts made some claim. “There was sufficient stock of liquor as well as food onboard,” officials said, according to news agency PTI.

ખમણ અને ભરેલ ભીંડાનું બાઈટિંગ અને દારૂનો સ્ટોક ખતમ, વાઇરલ થયા સુરતીઓ!

Surat | એર ઈન્ડિયા દ્વારા શરૂ કરવામાં આવેલ સુરતથી બેંગકોકની પહેલી ફ્લાઇટના પહેલા જ દિવસે 98% પેસેન્જર્સ મળ્યા અને આ પેસેન્જર્સના વિડીયો વાયરલ થયા.

ફ્લાઇટમાં પેસેન્જરોએ વિસ્કી અને બીયરનો સ્ટોક જ પતાવી… pic.twitter.com/feolWuDKgK

— Sagar Patoliya (@kathiyawadiii) December 21, 2024

The airline further clarified the serving policy of alcohol saying that “as a rule of thumb, a passenger will not be served more than 100 ml of alcohol during a flight.

Air India Express, which is owned by the Tata Group, offers five kinds of liquor on board. These include Chivas Regal at Rs. 600 for 50 ml, Red Label and Bacardi White Rum and Beefeater Gin all at Rs. 400 for 50 ml each, and Bira Lager at Rs. 400 for 330 ml.

The airline hasn’t yet released an official statement on the claims and discussions on the net.

Cochin Airport: Air India Express Flight Returns After Tyre Trouble, Passengers Safe

December 17, 2024, 2:37 pm

A Bahrain-bound Air India Express flight was forced to return to Cochin International Airport on Tuesday after experiencing suspected tyre trouble shortly after takeoff. According to a Cochin Airport spokesperson, the technical concern was identified moments after the aircraft became airborne, prompting the flight crew to receive instructions to return to the airport as a safety precaution.

Safety Precautions Taken, Passengers Unharmed

The airport authorities took necessary measures to ensure the safe landing of the aircraft, the official told media. The incident is currently under investigation, and further details are awaited.

Recent Hoax Calls at Mumbai International Airport

In a separate incident, a helpline at Mumbai International Airport received two consecutive calls from a woman on Sunday, warning of a “major problem” and urging the cancellation of a Mumbai-Delhi flight. The Sahar Police were notified, and an FIR was registered. The calls, which appeared to be a hoax, were traced to a location in Andheri East, but the caller could not be located.

The authorities are investigating both incidents to determine the cause of the technical issue with the Air India Express flight and to identify the person responsible for the hoax calls at Mumbai International Airport.

Air India Express Pilot Saves 144 Lives, Circles Tiruchi for 2 Hours After Hydraulic Failure

October 12, 2024, 1:38 pm

On a Friday evening in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu, an Air India Express pilot performed a miraculous maneuver, safely landing an aircraft carrying 144 passengers after experiencing a hydraulic failure. The plane circled the airspace for over two hours before making a safe landing past 8 pm. Among the passengers, six children LLYTwere reported to have narrowly escaped a potential disaster, according to sources.

Details Of The Incident

Preliminary reports indicate that the AXB 613 flight, en route to Sharjah, took off from Tiruchi airport around 5:40 pm. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot identified a technical issue: the aircraft’s landing gear failed to retract. Acting swiftly, the pilot made the decision to return to Tiruchi’s airspace.

Amid tense moments, passengers prayed while the pilot contacted the Tiruchi Air Traffic Control (ATC) and prepared for an emergency landing. “As per standard operating procedure, the pilot circled in the air for over two hours to drain the fuel from the aircraft to a safe level and made a normal landing at night,” a source explained. Fortunately, all 144 passengers on board, including the six children, were safe, as confirmed by an official.

Ground Authorities’ Preparedness

As a precaution, Tiruchi police and health authorities prepared for any emergency, positioning numerous firefighting engines and ambulances at the airport. Thankfully, none of these emergency services were needed. Anxious relatives, waiting outside the airport, expressed relief. “I spoke to my husband. He said he is safe,” said Farhana to a TV channel.

Air India Express Issues A Statement

In response to the incident, Air India Express issued a detailed statement clarifying that no emergency was declared by the crew. The airline explained that after detecting a technical issue, the aircraft circled to reduce its fuel and weight before making a safe landing.

“We are aware of media reports related to an Air India Express flight operating on the Tiruchirappalli – Sharjah route. We would like to clarify that no emergency was declared by the operating crew. After reporting a technical snag, the aircraft circled multiple times in the designated area as an abundant precaution, to reduce fuel and weight considering the runway length, before making a safe precautionary landing. The cause of the snag will be duly investigated. In the interim, an alternative aircraft is being arranged for the onward journey of our guests. We regret the inconvenience and reiterate our commitment to prioritising safety in every aspect of our operations,” said the Air India Express spokesperson.

The cause of the technical issue is under investigation, and an alternative aircraft has been arranged to take passengers to their destination.

Air India Express Pilots Depart Tiruchirappalli After Safe Landing | Watch

October 11, 2024, 10:57 pm

The pilot in command Iqrom Rifadly Fahmi Zainal and the co-pilot Maitryee Shrikrishna Shitole evacuated all passengers safely to shore at Tiruchirapalli Airport after taking charge of an in-flight emergency on board Air India Express Flight IX 613, en route to Sharjah, with a technical hitch caused by hydraulic failure shortly after take-off from Tiruchirappalli.

Watch the video here:

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Air India Express Flight IX 613's Pilot Iqrom Rifadly Fahmi Zainal and Co-pilot Maitryee Shrikrishna Shitole leave from Tiruchirapalli airport.

The Air India Express Flight IX 613 from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah, which faced a technical problem (Hydraulic… pic.twitter.com/96VUimNxiH

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024

Authorities claim that the pilots sent prompt reports to the air traffic control so that a quick response could be given at the shortest possible notice. Happily, the aircraft was safely brought back to the Tiruchirappalli airport and had nearly escaped major mishap. An incident of such nature had been dealt with as per regular technical norms followed for handling grave situations.

The officials said the individuals on board were reported to be unharmed, and rescue teams are standing by at the airport as a precautionary measure. As probes are being conducted further to confirm exactly what caused this hydraulic failure, it is now being seen as a very appropriate display of crew experience and preparation in resolving the matter so effectively.

Jitender Bhargava Shares Insights On Safe Landing of Air India Express Flight Amid Mid-Air Technical Glitch | Watch

October 11, 2024, 10:28 pm

An Air India Express flight from Tiruchirappalli to Sharjah faced a mid-air emergency on Friday due to a technical snag, but fortunately, it landed safely. The flight, carrying 140 passengers, encountered hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff at 5:43 PM and was forced to hover over the Trichy airspace before making an emergency landing.

Watch the video here:

#WATCH | Mumbai: On Air India Express Flight from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah, which faced a technical problem, Jitender Bhargava, former Executive Director of Air India says, "The good news is that the plane has landed safely. People who work in this industry know that pilots are… pic.twitter.com/MDv4Ho4hQU

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024

Jitender Bhargava, former Executive Director of Air India, commented on the incident, reassuring that the situation was handled professionally. “The good news is that the plane has landed safely. People who work in this industry know that pilots are trained to deal with every situation on simulators. Some planes which are bigger have dumping facilities for fuel and it is a standing operating procedure in the industry that when the plane lands, its weight should be light… So the instructions were followed completely,” Bhargava explained.

The pilot alerted the airport authorities immediately after detecting the hydraulic failure. The system, which controls essential functions like landing gear, brakes, and flaps, malfunctioned, prompting the crew to take swift action. Preparations for a belly landing—when a plane lands without using its landing gear—were underway. Ambulances and rescue teams were placed on standby as a precautionary measure.

Fuel dumping, a standard procedure to reduce the plane’s weight during emergency landings, was considered but not executed, as the plane was flying over residential areas. Despite the tense situation, the flight was able to land without further issues.

Bhargava also emphasized the importance of investigating the incident thoroughly. “After investigation, it will be known whether it was a human error or not. DGCA and Air India Express should investigate it and if it is a human error then who is responsible for it, because safety is something that cannot be played with at all,” he added.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the technical issue to determine whether it was a mechanical fault or human error.

Passengers expressed relief after the successful landing, with many praising the pilot’s expertise in managing the emergency.

Air India Express Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing in Trichy After Landing Gear Issue

October 11, 2024, 8:53 pm

An Air India Express flight from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah successfully made an emergency landing at Tiruchirapalli airport after encountering technical difficulties with its landing gear. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed the safe landing of Flight IX 613.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitored the incident closely, while the airport was placed on high alert. According to the Ministry, although the flight faced a technical issue initially reported as a hydraulic failure, the landing gear was operational, and the aircraft touched down without any further complications.

Airport on High Alert

Airport Director Gopalakrishnan stated that the flight had to circle in the air to burn off fuel before attempting the landing. In preparation for any emergency, over 20 ambulances and fire tenders were stationed at the airport as a precautionary measure.

More details about the incident are expected to be released soon.

Air India Express Flight Encounters In-Flight Issue, Executes Emergency Landing

October 11, 2024, 8:30 pm

An Air India Express flight declared a mid-air emergency over Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on Friday evening due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft, currently hovering over Trichy airspace, is expected to land shortly, according to the airport director.

The flight took off from Trichy airport en route to Sharjah at 5:43 PM but soon encountered a technical issue. The pilot informed the air station about the hydraulic failure, a situation that arises when the system controlling essential components, such as landing gear, brakes, and flaps, malfunctions.

The Trichy District Collector stated to India Today TV that the airport director assured there was no cause for concern, and the flight would land safely. The airport is preparing for a belly landing, which occurs when a plane lands without deploying its landing gear.

While fuel dumping was initially considered to lighten the aircraft, it was ultimately decided against due to the plane circling over residential areas. “As a precautionary measure, we have kept ambulances and rescue teams on standby,” added the District Collector.

DGCA Grants Approval for Merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express

October 1, 2024, 2:55 pm

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted regulatory approval for the merger of AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia) with Air India Express (AIX), effective October 1, 2024. All aircraft of AIX Connect have been transferred to the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Air India Express, ensuring seamless airline operations without disruption for passengers.

Setting a New Benchmark in Airline Mergers

The merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express is being hailed as a significant achievement, establishing a new standard for future airline consolidations. Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of Civil Aviation, stated, “This merger will create a more resilient and innovative airline, capable of competing effectively in the global market.” DGCA’s strategic regulatory oversight was crucial in facilitating this successful merger.

Insights for Upcoming Air India and Vistara Merger

DGCA emphasized that insights gained from this merger will be valuable for the ongoing merger process between Air India and Vistara. The AIX Connect and Air India Express merger involved the integration of various operational aspects, including aircraft, personnel, maintenance, and backend systems, showcasing the complexity of such endeavors.

Ensuring safety during the merger of two active airlines is a significant challenge. DGCA played a pivotal role in ensuring that all regulatory and safety requirements were thoroughly complied with and implemented. Typically, such transitions involve grounding the fleet, but DGCA’s proactive engagement with stakeholders allowed for a smooth transfer without any disruptions.

To manage the merger efficiently, DGCA set up a dedicated project team to coordinate actions and secure regulatory approvals within a specified timeframe. A live tracker was created to monitor progress at a granular level, which was shared with senior management to ensure the process remained on track.

DGCA reviewed the organizational structure, facilities, personnel, and fleet assets of the merged airline to ensure compliance with aviation regulations. The workforce’s training and distribution were also evaluated to maintain safety and operational efficiency. Additionally, aircraft lease agreements and insurance documentation were reviewed to meet domestic and international regulations.

Post-Merger Monitoring

DGCA has committed to closely monitoring post-merger operations to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance, safeguarding consumer interests, and maintaining the safety of air operations across India.

DGCA Fines Air India Express Rs 10 Lakh for Regulatory Non-Compliance

August 29, 2024, 6:06 pm

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Air India Express for failing to comply with DGCA regulations, according to an official press release.

The penalty follows a Surveillance inspection conducted by the DGCA in June 2024 as part of its Annual Surveillance Program (ASP) for scheduled domestic operators. The inspection was focused on the airline’s adherence to the DGCA-issued Passenger-centric CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) Section-3, Series M, Parts I, II, and IV.

During the inspection, it was found that Air India Express did not comply with the provisions of CAR Section-3, Series M, Part IV, particularly regarding compensation to passengers affected by flight cancellations. Following these findings, a show-cause notice was issued to Air India Express, seeking an explanation for the non-compliance.

In its response, Air India Express acknowledged that it had not adhered to the relevant CAR provisions, leading to the imposition of the Rs 10 lakh penalty by the DGCA. The DGCA reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance with passenger-centric regulations through continuous inspections of scheduled domestic airlines at major airports.

The DGCA’s enforcement actions aim to protect the interests of air travelers by upholding stringent safety and service standards.

In a related development, the DGCA recently suspended the approval granted to Alchemist Aviation Private Limited to operate as a flying training organization. This action followed a fatal crash involving a trainee aircraft, resulting in the deaths of both the trainee pilot and the instructor. A special safety audit of Alchemist Aviation, conducted from August 23 to 24, uncovered several serious deficiencies and regulatory non-compliance, prompting the DGCA to take stringent measures against the organization.

Air India Express To Handle Both IGI & Hindon Airport

June 7, 2024, 4:16 pm

For the first time, Air India will make an entry into Hindon Airport, becoming the only airline to handle both Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) and Hindon Airport operations in NCR (National Capital Region).

Through this move, it will improve connectivity to and from different cities in western UP, Uttarakhand and Haryana. Especially in important areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Dehradun, and Haridwar.

This provides passengers from Central, North, and East Delhi, as well as the NCR, with convenient flight options and helps to alleviate traffic congestion in the NCR.

Starting its operation from August 1, 2024, the airline starts its operating 28 weekly direct flights from Hindon Airport, Ghaziabad, connecting to Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata.

Meanwhile, new routes to Kolkata and Goa, will start on August 15, 2024.

The rates of these flights start from INR 5,134, and its bookings will open on airline’s website, mobile app, and other major booking portals.

Along with domestic operations, Air India express also plans to foray into international routes to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka.

While from IGI (Indira Gandhi International Airport), it will handle 280 flights weekly simultaneously new operations from hindon.

This enhanced will serve as a convenient one-stop itineraries to different Indian cities like Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Calicut, Kannur, Kochi, Hyderabad, Imphal, Bagdogra, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Later talking about airline network expansion, Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said,

‘Our network expansion focuses on enhancing connectivity across rapidly growing domestic and short-haul international markets. The launch of our flights from Hindon is a pioneering effort that will benefit travellers from an extended catchment area, including Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal, and Haryana. This complements our operations from IGI, providing convenient options for travellers.’

Bengaluru: Full-Scale Emergency Declared As Air India Flight Engine Catches Fire

May 19, 2024, 11:36 am

On Saturday night, a full-scale emergency was declared at Bengaluru’s Kempe Gowda International Airport (KIA). After an Air India flight was forced to come back, due to one engine being engulfed in flames.

Kochi-bound Air India Express flight with 179 passengers makes emergency landing in Bengaluru after engine catches fire@AirIndiaX @BLRAirport https://t.co/8FWyotoh1v pic.twitter.com/jifx6nQSYh

— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) May 19, 2024

Issuing the statement, BIAL said “Flight IX 1132 made an emergency landing at 23:12 hours due to a reported fire in one of the engines. A full-scale emergency was declared.”

Later, the statement also added, that fire was promptly extinguished upon landing. All 179 passengers & crews going to kochi, were successfully evacuated from aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Air India express also revealed, that pilots elected to come back to Bengaluru, due to fire in aircraft’s right engine.

Releasing its press release, the Air India Express said

“Accordingly, a precautionary landing was carried out. The ground services also reported flames, resulting in an evacuation”. said subsidiary of Tata Group’s Air India.

Additionally, the flight crew also received praise for executing an evacuation that left no passengers with any injuries.

Also, apologizing to passengers, the press release said

“We regret the inconvenience this has caused and are working to provide alternative arrangements for our guests to reach their destination as soon as possible. A thorough investigation with the regulator shall be accomplished to establish the cause.” noted the release.

Air India Express Expected To Restore Flights By May 14

May 12, 2024, 4:13 pm

Air India Express is gradually resuming flights and stabilizing its network, according to an official statement on Sunday. The cabin crew union has confirmed that all members who had reported sick have returned to duty.

The airline, owned by the Tata Group and operating around 380 daily services, had canceled more than 20 flights on Sunday. The official indicated that full normalcy is expected to be restored by Tuesday morning.

Air India Express has not issued an official statement regarding these developments. The recent strike by a section of cabin crew, protesting alleged mismanagement, led to the cancellation of numerous flights since Tuesday night.

However, the strike was called off on Thursday, and the airline retracted termination letters issued to 25 cabin crew members following a conciliation meeting convened by the chief labour commissioner in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by representatives of the airline and the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU).

Air India Expresses Says Operations Return To Normalcy In Next Two days: Report

May 10, 2024, 3:09 pm

Air India Express, an airline owned by Tata, has reported a steady improvement in operations since the strike that caused major interruptions to flights ended. This is because more members of the cabin staff are returning to work. More than 170 flights were cancelled as a result of the strike, which was started on Tuesday night by a section of the cabin crew. But on Thursday night, it was called off along with the withdrawal of the letters of termination sent to the 25 striking cabin crew members.

The Tata Group airline, which usually runs about 380 flights per day, reduced its operations in reaction to the impact of the strike. It was anticipated that normalcy will resume within the following two days, according to an official statement released on Friday.

On Thursday, the cabin crew of Air India Express opted to end their strike, prompting the airline to agree to reinstate the 25 terminated staff. The strike had been instigated by a segment of the cabin crew reporting sick from Tuesday night, citing grievances regarding alleged mismanagement within the airline. Consequently, thousands of passengers were affected across various airports due to the flight cancellations.

The decision to terminate the strike and revoke the termination letters arose from a conciliation meeting held on Thursday between representatives of the cabin crew and airline management. The meeting, spanning nearly five hours, took place at the Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner in the national capital.

Participating in the meeting were representatives of the Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) and airline management. Notably, the union is affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), an associate of the RSS.

Both parties have agreed to further discussions on the issues at hand, scheduling another meeting for May 28.

Air India Express Crew Agree to Restore Flight Operations, Termination of 25 Members Revoked

May 9, 2024, 9:46 pm

During a meeting lasting approximately four and a half hours to address the human resource crisis at Air India Express, an agreement was reached with the crew members, addressing all their concerns. Both the crew and management have agreed to restore normal airline operations, resulting in the reversal of the termination of 25 crew members.

According to the crew members who spoke to ANI, all dissatisfied crew members are prepared to return to work immediately, and the management is willing to rescind all termination letters.

The meeting took place at the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC), with four officers and the Chief Human Resource Officer of Air India Express in attendance. Around 20 senior crew members also participated. Another meeting is scheduled for May 28 if the crew members’ demands are not met.

Approximately 85 flights were cancelled due to sudden sick leave calls from crew members. Air India Express issued an apology for the inconvenience caused after many of its flights, predominantly international ones, were either cancelled or delayed because of senior crew members calling in sick. Flights were grounded due to the sudden shortage of crew members, affecting both domestic and international routes. Some senior crew members reportedly turned off their mobile phones just before flight operations, citing health issues.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation demanded a detailed report from Air India Express on the matter and urged the airline to resolve the issues promptly. This incident at Air India Express follows similar issues encountered by Vistara in April, where hundreds of flights were affected due to pilots calling in sick.

Chief Labour Commissioner To Address Air India Express Crisis Crew Terminations Amid Mass Sick Leave

May 9, 2024, 3:21 pm

The Chief Labour Commissioner has summoned a meeting with the Air India Express union and CEO today. This move aims to address the grievances of the employees and ensure harmonious industrial relations. The meeting holds significance in resolving the ongoing crisis and restoring stability to the airline operations.

Following the termination of approximately 30 crew members last night, Air India Express faces a mounting crisis. The abrupt terminations came after nearly 300 employees called in sick and disrupted operations by switching off their phones.

The airline, a subsidiary of Air India and now owned by the Tata group, has been grappling with protests from its workforce over new employment terms. Employees allege unequal treatment and modifications to compensation packages.

Amidst the turmoil, 85 flights were canceled, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. The disruptions add to the challenges faced by the Tata group, coming barely a month after similar disruptions at its full-service carrier, Vistara.

In response to the crisis, Air India Express issued a statement expressing efforts to minimize inconvenience to guests. The airline assured operational efforts and offered options for affected passengers to reschedule or receive refunds.

However, tensions persist between management and crew members. The termination letters cited “pre-meditated” abstention from work, causing severe disruptions and reputational damage to the company.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) has accused the airline of mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff. Meanwhile, the regional labour commissioner has criticized the airline for violations of labour laws.

The summoning of the meeting by the Chief Labour Commissioner signals a crucial step towards resolving the crisis. It underscores the importance of dialogue and cooperation between management and employees to address grievances and restore normalcy to airline operations.

The meeting aims to provide a platform for both parties to discuss concerns and find mutually acceptable solutions. It represents an opportunity for constructive dialogue and collective action to mitigate the impact of the crisis and safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.

Tata-Owned Air India Express Terminates 25 Employees Amid Crisis Over Mass Sick Leave

May 9, 2024, 11:04 am

Tata-owned airline Air India Express has recently sacked 25 of its employees who reported ‘sick leave’ yesterday, thus, leading to the cancellation of over 90 flights.

As reported by ANI, due to their behavior, dozens of passengers suffered. In the next 20 minutes, the airline will later issue a statement.

Further, the airline had also issued an ultimatum to striking cabin crew to get back to their work by 4 pm on Thursday.

This development coincides with a time when a merger process with AIX Connect (AirAsia India) is ongoing.

Adding more complexity to the merger, the cabin members continue to put up protest against alleged injustices during their employment.

Meanwhile, the sudden disruption in flight’s operation has caused chaos and distress among affected travellers. Who reportedly reached the airline counter and demanded explanations behind this move.

In order to quell the chaos, the airline later asked the passengers to schedule their flights on Wednesday.

“The situation is dynamic as senior cabin crew are reporting sick at the last minute, just before they are to operate flights. While we are proactively cancelling flights till next Monday, the actual number may differ depending on crew turnout. We are minimizing international disruptions and less than 20% of the cancellations will be of our overseas flights.” said airline sources

Later, the affected passengers were also offered refund or an option of rescheduling their flights at no additional cost.

As per Air India spokesperson, even though they are trying to engage with crew to understand these occurrences, but they are also trying to minimize any inconvenience which is caused to the passengers.

With over 80% airline occupancy these days, around 13,000 passengers were affected by such cancellations.

Currently, Tata Group Airline Merger, it has declared to cut 40 flights daily till May 13.

Air India Express To Cut Flights Amid Cabin Crew Issues, CEO Aloke Singh Says

May 9, 2024, 12:59 am

Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express, on Wednesday declared that the airline would decrease flights in the coming days due to a considerable number of cabin crew members reporting sick right before their assigned duties.

This situation has resulted in the cancellation of more than 90 flights, impacting operations throughout the network. Singh emphasized that this conduct does not represent the airline’s cabin crew, who remain committed to serving diligently.

Over 90 FLIGHTS DISRUPTED

“Since last evening, over a 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty, at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations. Because this action was mostly by colleagues assigned L1 role, the impact was disproportionate, disrupting 90+ flights even though other colleagues reported for duty,” the CEO said in a statement.

Air India Express Managing Director, Aloke Singh, writes to the airline’s employees regarding the current crisis after over 100 cabin crew reported sick before their duty pic.twitter.com/B5vMKnrJVN

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

“The disruptions have cascaded across the network, forcing us to curtail the schedules over the next few days. We had to do this to cope with the non-availability of crew and to recover schedules. This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve our guests with dedication and pride. I am thankful to all who are standing by the airline in this hour of crisis,” he added.

Addressing Concerns

In a statement comprising 350 words, Singh reassured stakeholders of accessible communication channels and welcomed discussions to tackle any concerns. Highlighting the commitment of senior cabin crew members, Singh underscored the airline’s progression and ambitious expansion strategies.

“If there are concerns that need to be addressed, the company leadership is available for any discussions. All comms channels remain open departmental townhalls (one pre-scheduled for tomorrow), monthly all-hands townhall, besides formal and informal reach out to leaders,” he said.

“In particular, senior cabin crew colleagues who have seen the airline evolve from a small, niche operator to what we are today – a rapidly growing, 350+ flights-a-day carrier, with a strong network footprint across India, Gulf and SE Asia – have a deeper stake in helping build and achieve the vision we have set for ourselves,” he added.

Air India Express Cancels 70 Flights Due To Crew Sick Leave

May 8, 2024, 11:14 am

In a peculiar turn of events in the airline industry, Air India Express has recently canceled more than 80 international and domestic flights from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning.

The airline’s spokesperson attributed the cancellation to senior crew members taking a “mass sick leave.”

“A section of our cabin crew has reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.”-Air India Express’s spokesperson

As further revealed by the spokesperson, they are currently engaging with the crew to look into the reason behind this occurrence.

Addressing the issue of guests, who have been affected such cancellations, the spokesperson further emphasized, that the affected travellers will be shortly refunded or will receive a complimentary rescheduling.

“Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date. Guests flying with us today are requested to check if their flight is affected, before heading to the airport.”

Further apologizing for further inconvenience, the spokesperson said “We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide.”

As for the sick leave matter, the civil aviation authorities are probing the matter.

After Alaska Airlines Drama, 737 MAX Faces New Challenge in India with a Missing Part

January 9, 2024, 5:16 pm

According to India’s aviation regulator, DGCA, a safety assessment of 40 Boeing 737 Max jets operated by Indian airlines detected a missing part—a washer—on one of the aircraft. This discovery has prompted Boeing to issue a global request to inspect all of its 737 Max aircraft, totaling over 1,300 in active service, within 24 hours for “possible loose hardware.”

The 40 737 Max planes registered to Indian airlines are distributed among Akasa Air (22), SpiceJet (nine), and Air India Express (nine). While checks on 39 planes showed no issues, the inspection on the 40th revealed the absence of a washer. The DGCA confirmed that necessary actions, as recommended by Boeing, have been taken.

Boeing faces intensified scrutiny following a mid-air incident on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 plane, where a door blow-out endangered the lives of 177 passengers. This incident adds to a growing list of mishaps involving Boeing’s flagship jet, including a worldwide grounding between March 2019 and December 2020 after two separate crashes resulted in 345 fatalities.

On Monday, the DGCA initiated checks on India-registered 737 Max 8 aircraft, specifically focusing on reviewing the operation and proper closure of all over-wing emergency exits. Notably, no Indian airline operates the Max 9 version of the Boeing plane.

In a troubling development, both Alaska and United Airlines reported loose hardware on other 737 Max 9 planes on Monday. United Airlines identified “installation issues in the door plug,” requiring additional tightening of bolts, while Alaska Airlines found “loose hardware” on some aircraft. Sources suggest that United Airlines found “installation issues” on 10 of its planes, with Alaska Airlines yet to disclose the number of affected planes.

Last Friday, an Alaska Airlines plane made an emergency landing due to a reported pressurization issue. Terrifying images on social media depicted a blown-out window panel, leaving a hole in the side of the plane at an altitude of over 16,000 feet. Although the pilots successfully landed the plane, no major injuries were reported, despite oxygen masks being deployed and personal items being sucked out.

These safety concerns have prompted a worldwide grounding of Max 9 planes, with the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority ordering “immediate inspections” of all Max 9s globally. The aviation industry remains vigilant as investigations unfold and corrective measures are implemented to ensure passenger safety.