Air India Suspends 10 Cabin Crew Members Amid Protest Over New Room-Sharing Policy
Tata Group-owned Air India has suspended 10 cabin crew members for allegedly instigating protests against the airline’s newly introduced room-sharing policy.
This move comes ahead of the planned merger between Air India and Vistara in November.
New Room-Sharing Policy Sparks Discontent
The revised policy, effective from December 1, requires a section of the cabin crew to share rooms during layovers. However, cabin executives and those operating ultra-long-haul flights, typically lasting over 16 hours, are exempt from this requirement. These members will continue to have single rooms during layovers.
In response, the All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) criticized the policy, calling it “illegal, bad in law, and void ab initio.” The association has sought intervention from the Union labour ministry to address the issue.
Air India’s Strategic Changes Ahead of Merger
The policy is part of a broader restructuring process initiated by Air India following its acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022. The merger between Air India and Vistara will create a combined workforce of around 25,000, including 12,000 cabin crew members, with various operational changes introduced to enhance efficiency in the full-service carrier.
