Operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were significantly disrupted on Monday as temporary ground staff initiated a strike, impacting several Air India flights and leaving passengers stranded. An Air India flight arriving from Hyderabad was grounded shortly after landing, with passengers reportedly remaining inside the aircraft for extended periods, leading to delays in baggage reclaim.
Ground Staff Strike Causes Widespread Delays
The industrial action by employees of AI Airport Services Ltd (AIASL), a government-owned ground handling agency, brought operations to a near standstill at the Mumbai airport. AIASL provides ground handling services to Air India Group airlines, including Air India and Air India Express, as well as to several international carriers such as Flydubai, Saudia, Oman Air, and SalamAir. The strike led to a widespread disruption, affecting both domestic and international flights.
Air India acknowledged the situation, stating in a press release that the “industrial action by employees of third-party ground handling agency at Mumbai airport is impacting the operations of Air India Express and Air India.” The airline’s spokesperson added, “Our airport teams are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to guests and restore normal operations at the earliest.” While the airline did not specify the number of flights impacted, reports indicated significant delays and cancellations.
Strike Resolution and Assurances
The strike was reportedly called off after AIASL management assured employees that their demands, primarily concerning wage hikes and other service-related issues, would be addressed. Rambabu, CEO at AIASL, confirmed that employees resumed work after receiving assurances from the management. “There was a silent morcha by a certain section of employees, and we requested them to give us in writing (their demands) for discussion. They have been kind enough to go back and join back the work,” Rambabu stated, adding that the company would review the employees’ requests in alignment with company policies.
AIASL, which serves approximately 80 airlines across 84 airports in the country and handles around 650 flights daily, aims to stabilize its operations following the resolution of the protest. The company employs over 20,000 individuals nationwide.
Broader Context of Air India’s Operational Adjustments
This incident occurs amidst a period of significant operational adjustments for Air India. In parallel, the airline has been rationalizing its international flight schedule for the period between June and August 2026. This restructuring is attributed to record-high jet fuel prices and ongoing airspace restrictions, which have increased operating costs for long-haul flights. As a result, several international routes, including some to North America and Europe, have seen temporary suspensions or frequency reductions. Examples include the suspension of services on the Delhi-Chicago and Mumbai-New York routes, and reductions in flights to cities like Paris, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Air India has indicated that affected passengers will be offered alternative flights, complimentary date changes, or full refunds, as the airline navigates these operational challenges to stabilize its network and minimize disruptions.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
