Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted

Post originally Published May 21, 2024 || Last Updated May 21, 2024

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.


Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Air India Express Cancels Flights Due to Cabin Crew Shortage


Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted

The cabin crew shortage at Air India Express has led to significant disruptions, including the cancellation and delay of over 100 flights, impacting approximately 15,000 passengers.

The situation escalated after the airline terminated the contracts of 25 senior cabin crew members who protested alleged mismanagement by calling in sick.

Despite these challenges, the airline is attempting to stabilize operations, with support from Air India on certain routes.

Air India Express's ambitious growth plans are at risk due to unexpected crew shortages.

With over 283 flights scheduled for Thursday alone, grounding a significant portion disrupts strategic plans for expanded market reach.

Over 15,000 passengers have faced significant inconvenience due to these cancellations.

This not only affects immediate travel plans but could also erode future customer trust and loyalty.

The airline had to make swift operational adjustments, including the cancellation of a substantial percentage of its daily flights.

This kind of operational volatility can have long-term implications on the airline's financial stability and market reputation.

The mass sick leave highlights deeper issues within the company’s human resource practices.

It indicates potential systemic problems that, if unaddressed, could lead to further disruptions and operational challenges.

The disruptions have highlighted the airline's logistical dependency on modern crew management systems.

An effective automated scheduling and workforce management system might mitigate similar risks in the future.

The involvement of the Regional Labour Commissioner of Delhi underscores the broader social and political ramifications of business practices in sectors like aviation.

The resolution of this dispute might set a precedent for how labor issues are managed in the Indian aviation industry.

What else is in this post?

  1. Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Air India Express Cancels Flights Due to Cabin Crew Shortage
  2. Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - How 100+ Cancelled Flights Impacted Over 15,000 Passengers
  3. Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Alternative Travel Options for Affected Passengers
  4. Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Tips for Finding Last-Minute Affordable Flights
  5. Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Popular Gulf Destinations Affected by Air India Express Disruption

Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - How 100+ Cancelled Flights Impacted Over 15,000 Passengers


The cancellation of over 100 flights by Air India Express has left approximately 15,000 passengers facing significant disruptions, highlighting inefficiencies in the airline's crew management systems.

Some passengers were forced to endure long delays, while others found themselves stranded, underscoring the vital role of reliable cabin crew scheduling in maintaining operational stability.

This turmoil brings to light deeper issues within the airline's human resource practices that need urgent attention to prevent future crises.

Many of the canceled flights were on routes to the Gulf, significantly disrupting the travel plans of expatriate workers and their families.

Rebooking over 15,000 passengers onto alternative flights presented a logistical nightmare, compounded by the lack of immediate availability on other carriers.

Complications arose during the refund process, with some passengers experiencing delays and frustration due to bureaucratic hurdles and overwhelmed customer service channels.

While domestic passengers faced delays and rebooking, international travelers, particularly those with connecting flights, endured more severe disruptions, including extended layovers or missed connections entirely.

The abrupt cancellation of flights led to significant operational disruptions for Air India Express, forcing the airline to hastily implement contingency plans which were often insufficient.

This event severely impacted passenger sentiment, with widespread dissatisfaction potentially leading to long-term reputational damage for Air India Express.

The root cause—widespread crew sick leave due to protests—highlighted deeper management issues that could foretell future operational difficulties if not properly addressed.

Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Alternative Travel Options for Affected Passengers


Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted

In response to the widespread crew shortage affecting over 100 flights, Air India Express has announced several alternative travel options for the 15,000 impacted passengers.

The airline is offering full refunds or alternative travel arrangements and has released a revised flight schedule to mitigate the disruption.

Affected travelers are advised to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport to avoid further inconvenience.

Passengers may benefit from connections on different airlines, which can help mitigate the effects of direct flight cancellations, albeit with potentially longer travel times and layovers.

Low-cost carriers operating in the same regions, such as Indigo and SpiceJet, often have overlapping routes that could serve as viable alternatives for affected passengers.

Airlines frequently offer last-minute discounts to fill remaining seats on flights; affected travelers might find unexpectedly low fares if they are flexible with their travel dates and times.

Passengers might consider flying into larger, nearby airports in the Gulf region and then using regional carriers or ground transportation to reach their final destination.

Flyers who accept travel vouchers instead of refunds can often receive additional credit, giving them more purchasing power for future flights, upgrades or other travel-related expenses.

Those with miles and points saved in frequent flyer programs can rebook flights at no additional cash cost, which can be a lifesaver, especially for international passengers facing steep ticket prices.

Booking a multi-city itinerary that includes key stopovers can increase flexibility in case one leg of the journey is disrupted, offering more options to switch flights at intermediate points.

Air India Express Fires Crew 100+ Flights Cancelled, 15,000 Passengers Impacted - Tips for Finding Last-Minute Affordable Flights


Navigating last-minute flight bookings can be a challenge, especially amidst recent disruptions like those experienced by Air India Express.

To score affordable last-minute flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and destinations, as well as subscribing to fare alert services.

Utilizing miles and points from frequent flyer programs can also offer significant savings, making it easier to secure a flight without breaking the bank.

Checking for flights departing from or arriving at smaller, nearby airports can often uncover cheaper options, as these airports might not be as popular and thus have lower demand.

Flexibility with your travel dates can unveil significant savings.

Flights mid-week are generally cheaper than weekend flights due to lower travel demand, saving you a considerable amount.

Many airline websites have a last-minute deals section, offering discounted fares for those willing to book at the eleventh hour.

These sections can be a treasure trove of budget-friendly options.

Subscribing to flight alerts through apps or services can notify you instantly of airfare drops.

Real-time notifications can help you snatch the best deals as soon as they appear.

Leveraging accumulated miles and points can result in drastically reduced or even free flights.

This is particularly beneficial for last-minute bookings where cash prices are high.

Utilizing price comparison websites and tools can provide a comprehensive view of the available options, helping you identify the best deals quickly and efficiently.

Some airlines offer standby options for a lower fare if you're willing to wait for an available seat.

This can be a cost-effective way to secure last-minute travel, although it comes with a degree of uncertainty.

Opting for connecting flights instead of direct routes may reduce costs.

A multi-stop journey can sometimes be significantly less expensive than a direct flight, especially if you can find budget carriers for each segment.


The widespread crew shortage at Air India Express has had a significant impact on popular Gulf destinations, including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, and Muscat.

With nearly 20 UAE-India flights canceled, the travel plans of numerous expatriate workers and their families have been severely disrupted.

This highlights the critical need for reliable crew management systems and underscores the broader implications of workforce instability in the aviation sector.

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi hosts the futuristic Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2017 and is the first universal museum in the Arab world, featuring masterpieces from around the globe.

Bahrain - Bahrain's Bahrain International Circuit is a state-of-the-art venue, known for hosting the first Formula One Grand Prix in the Middle East in

Dammam - Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport covers an area as large as Manhattan, making it the largest airport in the world by land area.

Muscat - Muscat is home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which features one of the world's largest hand-woven carpets and a 14-meter-tall chandelier adorned with Swarovski crystals.

Kuwait City - Kuwait Towers, one of the city's iconic landmarks, includes a water tower, viewing sphere, and a restaurant that provides panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai - Dubai International Airport is the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic, processing over 90 million passengers in

Doha - Qatar’s capital, Doha, will host the 2026 Asian Games, further enhancing its reputation as a burgeoning global sports hub.

Riyadh - Riyadh's Al Faisaliah Tower, one of Saudi Arabia’s tallest buildings, features a glass globe restaurant offering 360-degree views of the cityscape.

Regardless of the significant disruptions faced by Air India Express, the allure of these Gulf destinations remains strong, compelling travelers to seek out alternative ways to visit.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.