Air India is reportedly planning to roll out a well being and health compliance rule for its cabin crew, below which workers discovered to be underweight, obese or overweight could face penalties akin to de-rostering and potential lack of pay.
The compliance evaluation will probably be primarily based on the cabin crew members’ Physique Mass Index (BMI) with a studying between 18-24.9 labeled as ‘regular’ and thought of the ‘desired vary’ by the airline.
The initiative, which varieties a part of the provider’s ‘Cabin Crew Well being and Health Compliance Coverage’, is ready to come back into impact from Could 1, 2026, in accordance with information company PTI.
Livemint has contacted Air India for an official response. This text will probably be up to date accordingly.
BMI standards for the crew — defined
A BMI studying of lower than 18 will probably be thought of as ‘underweight’, although it might be acceptable topic to clearing of medical analysis and purposeful evaluation,
In response to the coverage accessed by the information company, a BMI studying of lower than 18 will probably be labeled as ‘underweight’, although it might nonetheless be thought of acceptable if the cabin crew member clears a medical analysis and purposeful evaluation.
In the meantime, a BMI studying within the vary of 25-29.9 will probably be categorised as ‘obese’ and will probably be thought of acceptable, supplied the cabin crew member passes the required purposeful evaluation.
Nonetheless, a BMI studying of 30 or above will probably be classifief as ‘overweight’ and won’t fall inside the acceptable vary below the coverage.
Penalties of lapses
For individuals who fail to satisfy the BMI standards, will probably be subjected to sure penalties. A cabin crew member will probably be de-rostered if she or he is discovered to be both ‘underweight’ or ‘obese’ and can mandatorily require to clear the purposeful evaluation.
In case the member fails to go the evaluation, then she or he will probably be positioned on lack of pay until the clearance occurs, the coverage stated.
In the meantime, for cabin crew members who’re discovered ‘overweight’, the instant motion will embody de-rostering and lack of pay. Such individuals must obtain the suitable BMI inside a sure variety of days.
Loss-making Air India, which was acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, will take corrective actions towards the overweight cabin crew members for failure to satisfy the BMI parameters, in accordance with the report.
Intention of the initiative
Air India knowledgeable its cabin crew members that the preliminary launch of the coverage is geared toward selling consciousness of sustaining a wholesome life-style and familiarise them with the method of sustaining an acceptable weight class.
“The present coverage, within the interim, serves as a preparatory measure earlier than the coverage with enhanced health requirements is applied,” it stated.
The brand new coverage will probably be relevant to these flying in addition to those that are at present receiving coaching, the company reported.
(with inputs from company)
