Behind Air India’s crew shortage

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Editor's note: On 29 March, Air India’s cabin crew received an updated version of their contract renewal policy. S, who declined to be named, wasn’t amused. As per the circular, which was effective immediately, S’s contract renewal could be impacted if they frequently reported sick or refused to take any scheduled flight. “This is nothing but dictatorship,” says S.  Over the past few months, S has been forced to call in sick often. “I have been falling sick due to excessive flying. In the last two months, I have taken sick leave several times,” they say. “I’m still on medication, but continue to operate because I have a family to feed. How else will I get the money?” S has been flying up to four domestic sectors every day for the past few months as the Tata-owned airline expanded operations at breakneck speed. But what has added to their woes is that they have to operate across additional sectors now, which means extra flying hours and increased fatigue. Since November, S has completed 80-100 hours of flying hours every month, compared to …