Air India cancels over 75 flights as staffers continue protest

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI - Air India has cancelled over 75 domestic and international flights scheduled for Wednesday in the wake of a flash strike launched strike by its staffers throughout the country.

On Tuesday, over 20,000 Air India employees went on strike protesting against an airline management’s gag order.

According to Air India, it has cancelled several flights scheduled to be operated on domestic as well as international sectors from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore.

Air India has cancelled 24 flights from Delhi, 37 from Mumbai, six from Kolkata, seven from Chennai and two from Bangalore.

The airline has cancelled six flights from Kolkata to Agartala, Bagdogra, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Imphal and Port Blair.

Seven flights from Chennai to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Bhubaneshwar, Bangalore-Cochin, and Bangalore-Trivandrum were also cancelled.

Air India said two flights from Bangalore to Mumbai and Male in Maldives were also cancelled.

Air travellers were stranded at airports after Air India staffers continue to be on strike.

“They cancelled our flight. We were going from Delhi to Mumbai but they have cancelled the flight. If the government’s airline does this then what will happen?” said Jayshree, a Mumbai-bound passenger.

Several incoming flights were also cancelled due to shortage of staff.

“I was going to Patna by flight 415. After coming here, I came to know that the flight has been cancelled. It is a nuisance and I had some important work. I had to go home, and now, I will have to think of some other mode of transport,” lamented Syed Saba Karim, a former Indian cricketer.

Meanwhile, the airlines management has threatened stern action, including termination of service if the agitation continues. (ANI)