Air India's flight operations were affected on Thursday after a section of employees of the carrier's ground handling subsidiary Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL) went on a flash strike against non-payment of Diwali bonus, an official told PTI.
AIATSL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the national carrier, provides ground handling services to Air India. It has about 5,000 employees, including those on contract.
"Some AIATSL employees at the Mumbai airport are on strike since Wednesday-Thursday (intervening) night over non-payment of Diwali Bonus, leading to disruption in services. These employees, however, are on contract," the official further told PTI. He added that negotiations are on between the striking employees and the AIATSL management to resolve the issue.
Mumbai International Airport Limited has said that eight domestic flights and 16 international flights were delayed due to the strike, reported ANI.
The national airline said, according to NDTV, that it had called off-duty permanent staff from their homes to help with the check-in process.
An Air India spokesperson said the delays were due to a "sudden industrial situation" at the Mumbai airport and all efforts are being made to minimise delays or disruption, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Meanwhile, a few passengers also tweeted about the delays: