Air India Flights Delayed In Mumbai After Strike, Staff Called From Home

At least 37 Air India flights from Mumbai were delayed this morning because of a strike by a group of the flag carrier's contractual workers, according to news agency PTI. The national airline said it had called off-duty permanent staff from their homes to help with the held-up check-in process.

"Till this morning, 10 domestic flights were delayed besides three international ones. The delay was up to three hours," an Air India spokesperson told PTI. A Mumbai airport representative, however, told news agency ANI that 16 international flights were delayed.

The contractual ground staff of Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL), a subsidiary of Air India, went on a strike last night since they did not receive their Diwali bonuses, PTI reported.

The company provides ground handling services to Air India across airports in the country. It has about 5,000 employees, including those on contract.

A number of passengers expressed their frustration on Twitter.

#AirIndia Why did I book this fatichar airline. 676 from Kol to Mum delayed by 3 hrs. No announcement. No staff. Just an SMS five minutes before departure time. And with news of the strike in Mumbai wish someone would tell us if this bloody flight will take off or not

- Anand Sivakumaran (@Anandloki) November 8, 2018

@MoCA_GoI @airindiain @narendramodi it's shameful for the government to run AirIndia anymore. Passengers stranded in Mumbai airport due to strike!!!!! Strike in Airline services...that too sudden! Serious threat!!!

- Sumanto Dey (@dey_sumanto) November 8, 2018

@airindiain commercial are on flash strikes at cst mumbai airport. Due to this all flights domestic as well international delay. #airindiaworstmanagement

- Zaid (źèđď) (@_zaid982) November 8, 2018

@sureshpprabhu Air India flash strike at Mumbai t2. Waitinf since 2 hours for checkin no ground st https://t.co/DpZBiV7b6P

- Ami Shah (@ami7912) November 7, 2018

"Due to a sudden industrial situation at Mumbai by AIATSL employees, some flights have got delayed. We are assessing the situation and all efforts are being made to minimise delays or disruption," the Air India spokesperson said.

"Negotiations are going on between the striking employees and the AIATSL management to resolve the issue," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)