Several Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) regional and international flights have been grounded amid industrial action by its pilots, who have called in sick.

The move by the pilots is an attempt to get the management of the Trinidad-based carrier to address organisational concerns including better pay and working conditions.

The airline has issued a statement confirming the grounding of its flights saying, all its international and domestic flights scheduled for today will be affected, as a result of many of its pilots who were rostered to operate flights calling in sick.

In the meantime, hundreds of passengers arriving at Piarco International Airport in the twin island Caribbean republic, hoping to board a flight, were left disappointed this morning, as they were greeted with news of cancelations. Guardian Media reported that passengers at the airport were told a severe staff shortage at the airline is to blame.

Guardian Media confirmed that flights to Tobago, Orlando, Miami, St Lucia, Guyana and Fort Lauderdale have all been canceled.

“The management and the pilots’ recognised majority union –Trinidad and Tobago Pilot’s Association (TTALPA) have been in communication, Caribbean Airlines is disappointed with the action of the pilots. However, Caribbean Airlines will continue to urge further open and frank discussion in good faith with TTALPA while exploring all options available,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline apologised to its “loyal passengers for all inconvenience caused by these delays and assures that all will be done to minimize the delays.”

CAL requests passengers to confirm their flight times with the Flight Status Tool on the website prior to arrival at the airport, to avoid any potential further inconvenience.