THE fleshier air hostesses of India's state airline are too fat to fly, according to a ruling by the country's High Court.
Judges yesterday dismissed a case brought by five Air India employees against the airline over its decision to suspend staff more than 3kg over their maximum weight allowance.
The airline introduced the limit two years ago when it estimated that
more than 10 per cent of its 1,600 cabin crew were overweight. Staff guidelines recommended different weights according to height and age. For an 18-year-old with a height of 152cm (5ft) the maximum weight is 50kg (almost 8st); at the same height but in the 26-30 age group the weight limit is 56kg (almost 9st).
Staff had argued that overweight cabin crew were perfectly able to carry out their duties and said the suspensions were arbitrary and illegal.
"There is no connection between weight and performance of duty when one is medically fit," their lawyer, Arvind Sharma, said.
Air India's lawyers maintained the company was justified in suspending the staff.
"It was clearly mentioned in their contract that their job could be terminated if they put on weight above the permissible limit and they have just been grounded on a condition that they would be allowed to fly after losing weight," said lawyer Gopal Subramanium.
In yesterday's 29-page judgment, the High Court said air hostesses' duties were "strenuous" and so they needed to be physically fit.
"Air crew have to be athletic to deal with any emergency and for that have to be in good shape. That is the reason that not only maximum but minimum weight limits are prescribed," the court said.
The court also acknowledged the boom in aviation in India had led to the physical appearance of cabin crew becoming more important.
"In the highly competitive industry of civil aviation, the company has to focus on the personality of its employees. One cannot shy away from the reality that by the very nature of their jobs, their overall physical personality is a primary consideration," it said.
Air India has lately faced intense competition from a host of budget airlines, many with glamorous young crews, and has been keen to update its image.
In comparison to Air India's demure, sari-clad attendants, Kingfisher Airlines, run by beer baron Vijay Mallya, boasts young, mini-skirted hostesses in scarlet stilettos. Mr Mallya prides himself on personally selecting his air hostesses and refers to them as "walking models in the air".
