A major airline has introduced a new policy that will deduct employees’ pay if they do not meet certain weight requirements.
Under the latest policy issued by Air India, underweight, overweight or obese flight attendants will be punished severely.
From 1 May, cabin crew must have a “desirable” body mass index (BMI) and meet specific fitness standards.
If not, they may face possible pay cuts and even dismissal in some cases.
Under the guidelines, employees must maintain a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 to stay within the “desired range.”
Anything under 18 will be considered “underweight”, but candidates can still be approved if they pass the medical assessment and functional assessment.
blood money
‘Cash for silence’ payment to mother of 17-year-old girl killed in Air India disaster blasts
crash bangs
Families of Air India crash victims are offered £8,000 to give up right to file suit
Anyone returning a BMI in the range of 25 to 29.9 would be considered “overweight.”
Then, they can still perform their duties, provided they pass the functional assessment.
Anyone who does not pass the assessment will be suspended without pay until approved.
A BMI reading of 30 or more will not be permitted under any circumstances, which will result in immediate derostering and automatic loss of pay.
Those considered “obese” will then be given seven days to achieve an acceptable BMI.
In an employee communication, Air India said: “The initial launch is aimed at promoting awareness about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and familiarizing the crew with the process of maintaining an appropriate weight category.
“The current policy, in the interim, serves as a preparatory measure before a policy with enhanced fitness standards is implemented.”
This latest policy will apply to both active cabin crew and those undergoing training. The Economic Times reported.
This is not the first time that Air India has come under significant scrutiny.
In June 2025, an Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad.
The plane carrying 242 people crashed into a medical college hospital and burst into flames.
Only one passenger, Vishwakumar Ramesh, survived.
The British man miraculously survived the crash after jumping from the burning jet and was filmed walking away from the wreckage.
After this, air India announced They will release a compensation of around Rs 25 lakh (£20,300) per victim To their loved ones.
However, a Many people are being asked to “irrevocably and forever waive” any right to file a claim sooner or later. Future if they want Wealth.
The settlement seeks to release the airline from legal liability related to the accident.
