Air India Express has terminated 25 employees after they failed to report to work on Wednesday, May 8. The sudden, last-minute mass sickout caused major disruptions to the Air India Express network, with more than 90 flights canceled. News agency PTI reported that Air India Express has also issued an ultimatum to the striking cabin crew to return to work by 4pm on Thursday (May 9).

According to the airline spokesperson, Air India Express has canceled 85 flights today due to network disruption and the combined Air India Express and AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) will operate 283 flights today.

Before the network disruption, the two airlines operated a total of around 380 flights, of which 260 were domestic and 120 international. The airline has asked travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

If their flight is canceled or delayed for more than three hours, they can contact Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com for a full refund or a fee-free rebooking to a later date, the airline added.

Also read: Air India Express fires 25 flight attendants for not reporting for work; canceled 85 flights today

Here is the full text of Air India's termination letter sent to the flight attendants due to illness.

Air India Termination Letter to Employees: FULL TEXT

''Theme: Termination of the employment contract

This relates to your employment with Air India Express Limited (“Company”) in the capacity of Cabin Crew Executive. It was reported that you were scheduled for a flight on May 7, 2024. However, at the last moment you informed the planning team that you were feeling unwell and therefore called in sick.

It is noted that at or around the same time, an overwhelming number of other cabin crew members also reported sick and did not return for duty. This clearly indicates a deliberate and concerted abstinence from work without any justifiable reason.

Due to the above reasons, numerous flights had to be canceled, disrupting the entire flight schedule, causing immense inconvenience to the company's valued passengers. Their actions not only violated the public interest, but also caused the company embarrassment, serious reputational damage and significant financial losses.

Your call to work sick represents a concerted action with a mutual agreement not to fly and disrupt company services. This is not only against applicable laws but also against the Air India Express Limited Employee Service Rules applicable to you.

Your above-mentioned action also violates the following clauses of the revised terms and conditions of your employment contract, which come into force on April 1, 2023:

“3.5 Roster and Flight Duties: You must be prepared to undertake flight duties, standby duties or other duties as may be assigned in accordance with the roster established by the Company…” and

“3.15(g) Additional Commitments: You also agree to maintain the highest standards of work ethic, character and conduct at all times during the term of office.”

In view of the foregoing, the Company has decided to terminate your employment with immediate effect as of the date of this letter and accordingly: (i) You will no longer be considered an employee of the Company and the Company will no longer treat you as an employer have any obligations; (ii) you will no longer have access to official emails, servers, other communications and any information related to the Company; and (iii) you and/or your dependents are not entitled to any Company employee benefits.”

Also read: Watch: Chaos at Delhi airport after Air India Express cancels 70 flights; Check why air traffic is affected

What went wrong?

On May 8, Air India Express announced a 20 percent reduction in its flight network over the next few days to stabilize operations after a large portion of cabin crew went on mass sick leave, causing significant disruption.

The mass furlough is believed to be due to complaints related to the ongoing merger with AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India. Air India Express was acquired by Tata Group in 2022 along with Air India as part of a government-led strategic disinvestment program. The airline is in the middle of integrating with AIX Connect.

At the same time, a change is also taking place within the Air India Group that will result in a more domestic focus for Air India Express and a global international approach for the combined Air India and Vistara company. Merger issues are nothing new for Tata Group-backed airlines. Last month, Vistara had to cancel several flights due to a severe pilot shortage.