DGCA Investigates Air India Express Cabin Crew Strike Incident

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the May cabin crew strike at Air India Express, which led to several flight cancellations.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated that the airline would be penalized if any non-compliance with regulations is found.

Air India Express Incident Overview:

During a session in the Lok Sabha, Minister Naidu addressed concerns related to flight cancellations, emphasizing that the ministry was working to prevent such disruptions.

The strike, which took place on May 7, resulted from internal issues within Air India Express as it merged with AirAsia India. The minister highlighted that the Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) were established to ensure passengers receive compensation in such situations.

Naidu explained that the ministry and DGCA facilitated discussions between the airline and crew members to resolve the issue. Additionally, a software glitch complicated the situation, causing problems with crew member data management. Despite these challenges, steps were made to restore normal operations.

Regulatory Compliance and Penalties on Air India Express:

The minister reiterated that CARs are in place to protect passengers, and the ministry intervenes when airlines fail to comply with these regulations. As an example, he mentioned a previous penalty of Rs 10 lakh imposed on Air India for not adhering to guidelines.

Regarding the Air India Express strike, Naidu assured that the DGCA’s investigation would be thorough and that any non-compliance would result in penalties, prioritizing passenger welfare.

Strike Details and Aftermath:

The strike involved around 200 cabin crew members protesting against alleged mismanagement. The action led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

Following the strike, the airline management terminated the services of 25 cabin crew members and issued warnings to others.

However, after a conciliation meeting mediated by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), the strike was called off on May 9, and the termination letters were subsequently withdrawn.

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