Anindita Chatterjee
Updated on: October 16, 2024 10:00 am GMT
Air India is making waves with its new policy impacting cabin crew accommodations. Flight attendants on domestic and international routes will soon share hotel rooms during layovers, a shift that raises concerns about their rest requirements.
What’s Changing for Air India Cabin Crew?
The airline announced revisions to its policy as part of ongoing changes following recent mergers. Reports indicate that, under the new guidelines, cabin crew members, excluding in-flight managers, will have to share hotel rooms during layovers. This approach is already standard at Air India Express and sister airline Vistara, but it marks a significant first for Air India itself.
- Cabin crew members must share rooms during layovers.
- In-flight managers and executives are exempt from this new room-sharing policy.
- This shift aims to align operations following the merger with Vistara.
The new measure is not just about sleep arrangements. It reflects a broader strategy to harmonize employee policies across the newly unified Air India group, now restructured as part of the Tata Group’s initiative.
Increased Allowances for International Flights
While the accommodation policy has raised eyebrows, not all changes are viewed negatively. The airline is also increasing allowances for cabin crew working international flights:
- Allowances will rise from $75-$125 to $85-$135.
- Domestic flight allowances will remain unchanged.
An Air India spokesperson noted, “With the merger of Air India and Vistara formalizing, there is a need to harmonize policies for employees of both organizations.”
Concerns About Crew Rest
The requirement to share rooms has sparked concerns among cabin crew regarding their ability to get adequate rest. Critical thinking around this issue highlights the importance of rest for flight attendants, who often work long hours and deal with jet lag from international flights.
One crew member stated, “We understand the need to cut costs, but sharing rooms can lead to sleepless nights, which is particularly challenging in our line of work.” This sentiment underscores the anxiety many feel about balancing company policies with their health and safety.
Background of the Policy Change
The policy adjustments come amid ongoing concerns about labor practices at Air India. Some crew members from Air India Express have raised issues regarding treatment under labor laws, recently prompting them to seek resolution from the Central Labour Commissioner.
- The merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express was finalized on October 1.
- The full integration of Vistara is expected to wrap up next month.
Air India has been under scrutiny for its move to integrate operations, primarily due to ongoing financial challenges and reported losses. These recent policy shifts are being positioned as efforts to streamline company practices.
Performance-Linked Compensation
Since the beginning of 2023, Air India has also rolled out a performance-linked compensation model for all its employees. This new structure aims to incentivize better service while aligning employee benefits with industry standards.
The spokesperson added, “The revised compensation and benefits continue to be competitive and benchmarked to industry standards.”
While increases in allowances may offer some relief, there are mixed feelings about sharing accommodations, raising an important dialogue about worker welfare in the airline industry.
Conclusion
As Air India implements these changes, the impact on cabin crew well-being and overall service quality is becoming a vital discussion point. Balancing operational efficiency with the health and safety of employees is crucial not only for the airline’s success but also for maintaining workforce morale.
The effectiveness of these new policies will depend largely on how well they are received by cabin crew members, who are the backbone of the airline’s operations. As crew members adjust to these new arrangements, the airline’s commitment to addressing their concerns will be essential for building a successful future.
Air India has made some changes to its policies. You can check out the latest updates on their website to learn more.
