In a significant development for Kochi’s aviation landscape, Air India Express has relocated its headquarters to Gurugram, Haryana, marking a pivotal shift that impacts approximately 30 administrative jobs in the city. The move, initiated in 2023, saw senior staff members transferring to the Vatika One-on-One complex in Gurugram, while a skeletal office will be maintained in Elamkulam, Kochi.
According to sources close to the matter, the relocation has led to several resignations among the affected employees, citing inconvenience caused by the move. Air India Express, a subsidiary of Tata Group-owned Air India, defended the decision as strategic, aimed at fostering closer collaboration and operational synergies between the parent company and its low-cost subsidiary.
Established in Kochi in 2013 to cater to the substantial demand from Kerala’s expatriate population in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the headquarters relocation does not affect the airline’s operational hub at the Kochi airport. Despite the shift, Air India Express reassured that Kochi will remain pivotal to its operational strategy.
Earlier this year, the airline faced operational disruptions when senior cabin crew members staged a mass sick report, resulting in the cancellation of over 200 flights and significant passenger inconvenience. The issue, attributed to internal management disputes, was resolved following discussions at the Chief Labour Commissioner’s office in New Delhi after a four-day standoff.
Moving forward, Air India Express aims to streamline operations from its new Gurugram base while maintaining its commitment to serving Kerala’s air travel needs through its Kochi operations hub.
