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Mumbai Ground Staff End Flash Protest After Disrupting Air India Flights

The stoppage exposed the risk of relying on one government handler at a hub that serves many airlines.

Overview

  • AI Airport Services Ltd employees, who walked out Monday at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, returned after management agreed to review written demands.
  • The halt left arriving passengers stuck on aircraft for up to 90 minutes and created long waits at baggage belts.
  • Air India said a third‑party ground handler’s action hit both Air India and Air India Express operations as airport and airline teams activated contingency plans.
  • Outlets counted at least 15 delayed departures, with some reports citing 31, and delays spilled into the evening as teams worked to clear the backlog.
  • The action, backed by the ABKKS union, pressed for wage revision, permanent jobs for long‑serving contract staff, a promotion policy, reversal of Covid‑era pay cuts, better insurance, and limits on rehiring retirees.