Air India Recruitment Drive Overwhelms Mumbai Airport

Mumbai: A recent recruitment drive by Air India Airport Services Ltd. (AIASL) for airport loaders in Mumbai turned into a chaotic scene on July 16th. The event, originally intended as a walk-in interview, attracted a staggering number of applicants, far exceeding expectations and causing a near stampede situation.

Over 25,000 job seekers descended upon the interview venue located near the Mumbai Airport’s Sahar cargo complex. This overwhelming response came in response to the availability of just 2,600 positions, including airport loaders, drivers, and ground handling technicians. The sheer volume of applicants quickly overwhelmed organizers, leading to a surge in desperation as people jostled for position.

Social media footage captured the chaos, showcasing throngs of hopeful individuals rushing towards the interview center. Some, in their eagerness, even resorted to climbing vehicles and trees in a bid to reach the venue faster. Alarmed by the escalating situation, authorities intervened to prevent a potential stampede and maintain order.

The planned walk-in format clearly underestimated the immense pool of individuals seeking employment opportunities. AIASL had originally scheduled interviews for around 2,000 loaders, 400 drivers, and 200 technicians. However, the news of these vacancies attracted a diverse group of applicants, including fresh graduates who had just completed Class 12, along with those possessing higher qualifications. Many travelled significant distances, highlighting the intense competition for even basic job roles.

The surge in applications began early in the day. By 2 pm, merely two hours after the commencement of the recruitment drive at 10 am, over 10,000 individuals had already gathered at the location. Faced with the overwhelming response, organizers were forced to adapt. To prevent further chaos, a decision was made to collect resumes from a limited number of applicants and postpone full interviews. According to a Sahar police station official, roughly 200 resumes were ultimately collected, with the understanding that these candidates would be contacted for further evaluation.

This incident in Mumbai isn’t an isolated event. It follows a similar chaotic scene witnessed recently in Gujarat’s Bharuch. During a walk-in interview for a private firm with only 10 available positions, nearly 1,800 job seekers turned up. The overcrowding resulted in a collapsed railing, but thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.