NEW DELHI: Indian Airlines has a weighty problem to deal with after the country’s media ran stories about the ample figures of some of its female flight attendants.
The Indian press reported that hostesses have been sacked after they failed to measure up – or maybe down – to the airline’s strict age, height and weight criteria.
Ahead of a merger with Air India, an Indian Airlines spokesman admitted that the carrier was paying close attention to the weight of its hostesses.
Air India and Indian Airlines will shortly require extra cabin crew as they head towards a merger although no decision has been made on the brand or logo of the new airline, which is tipped to be called Indian Air.
Both airlines have launched significant expansion plans and will take delivery of more than 100 aircraft over the next five years.
The merged airline will have a fleet of 125 new-generation aircraft by 2010 and is expected to emerge among the top 30 carriers globally.
