Air India sacked over 1,000 staff in 3 years for ethical violations, says CEO

Air India has terminated more than 1,000 employees over the past three years for ethical misconduct, including misuse of the employee leisure travel system, CEO and MD Campbell Wilson told staff during a town hall meeting on Friday.

Highlighting the airline’s strict stance on compliance, Wilson said hundreds of employees are dismissed every year for violating company policies and stressed that staff must act responsibly even when no one is watching.

According to sources, Wilson said the airline had taken action against employees involved in ethical breaches such as smuggling items off aircraft, allowing excess baggage without proper charges, and exploiting internal travel benefits.

He also flagged widespread misuse of the Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) system by hundreds of staff members, saying such conduct was unacceptable.

In March, sources had told PTI that Air India uncovered large-scale irregularities in the use of its leisure travel policy involving more than 4,000 employees and initiated corrective measures, including penalties against those found guilty.

The disclosures come as the Tata Group-owned carrier steps up cost-cutting measures amid mounting financial pressure. The airline, which employs around 24,000 people, has held back annual salary increments and directed staff to curb discretionary and non-essential spending.

Wilson also warned employees that the current financial year could prove “very, very difficult” if conditions in the Middle East do not improve.

The Tata Group-owned Air India Group — comprising Air India and Air India Express — is projected to have posted losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore for the financial year ended March 2026.