The ongoing dispute between Air India management and Air India Express Union ended on Thursday (May 9, 2024) after, in a meeting at the Labour Commissioner's office, the airline called the terminated cabin crew back at work. In the meeting, where heads of Air India Express' departments talked to all employees and reinstated suspended air crew members with immediate effect.
In the meeting, everyone's inputs were also taken in the town hall meeting.

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The Airlines may also issue an official statement soon.

If the employees' demands are not implemented, the meeting will be held again on May 28.

Zee Business had already said that Thursday's could prove to be a decisive day.

Informing about the development, Office of chief Labour Commissioner (Central) wrote: "It is reported by the media that the cabin crew of Air India Express Ltd. have reported sick-en-mass which disrupted flight operations widely. The matter is seized in conciliation and notices were issued to both the parties vide dated 09.05.2024 fixing conciliation at 1400 Hours on 09.05.2024.
"Today both the parties are present (as per attendance sheet) and held conciliation proceedings. After detailed discussions deliberation, persuasion and on appeal of Conciliation Officer and Chief Labour Commissioner (central) the representative of union (members of cabin crew) agreed that all the cabin crew members who have reported sick will report for duty with fitness certificate immediately."

The letter further read: "On appeal of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), the management agreed to reinstate 25 cabin crew who have been terminated on 07th and 08th May 2024 for reporting sick as a concerted action immediately. The management will review the cases of these cabin crew as per service regulations.

The representatives of the management assured that all the issues of cabin crew raised before the management and during conciliation proceedings will be looked into and resolved.
"The conciliation proceeding is adjourned and fixed for 28.05.2024 at 1500 Hrs."

Reacting on the development, an Air India Express Spokesperson said that the airline urge its guests booked to fly with us to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

The spokesperson also said that if their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees.   

"We are pleased with the progress we made at the conciliation meeting and welcome our cabin crew colleagues back at work," said an Air India Express Spokesperson.  

"This will help us swiftly restore our flight schedule and fulfil our commitments to our guests. 

"We sincerely apologise to those inconvenienced by these unintended disruptions. It is not in keeping with our usual service standards, and we will review it internally to ensure accountability. 

"As we gradually bring our operations back to normalcy, we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check their flight status before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com.”