30.03.2026 17:22
Air India, one of India's flagship airlines, has become the center of controversy with its new policy regarding cabin crew. The company's regulation, which requires flight attendants to maintain their weight at a certain level and includes the risk of salary cuts and dismissal otherwise, has brought the question of "health or discrimination?" back to the forefront. Particularly, the requirement to meet the desired physical criteria within just 7 days has become one of the most criticized aspects of the decision.
India-based Air India has made headlines with its new health and compliance policy for cabin crew. The regulation announced by the company has sparked public debate, particularly due to the sanctions imposed based on body weight and physical standards.
7 DAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT
Starting from May 1, cabin crew members are required to have a "desired" Body Mass Index (BMI) value and meet certain physical standards; otherwise, employees will face salary deductions and the risk of termination.
According to the new guidelines, cabin crew members must have a BMI value between 18.5 and 24.9. Gradual sanctions will be applied to personnel who fall outside this range.
Those with a BMI below 18 will be considered "underweight," but may continue their duties after a medical and functional assessment,
those with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 will be classified as "overweight" and may work if they pass the fitness test,
and those with a BMI of 30 or above will be directly deemed "unfit" and removed from duty.
The most controversial detail of the policy is that cabin crew members categorized as "unfit" are given only 7 days to comply.
It has been clearly stated that employees who do not return to the desired BMI range within this period will face salary deductions and may subsequently be removed from duty.
REMOVAL FROM DUTY AND MONITORING PROCESS
The company announced that employees falling into the "underweight" or "overweight" categories will also be directly removed from flight duties and may only return to duty if they pass the functional assessment. It was noted that personnel would undergo health checks and physical fitness tests during this process.
DEBATES ESCALATE
The decision has resonated widely on social media and within the aviation industry. The criticisms focus on issues such as the health risks of rapid weight changes, employee rights, discrimination debates, and the association of physical appearance with professional competence.
Experts emphasize that losing weight in such a short period of 7 days is neither scientifically realistic nor safe for employee health.