Air India is set to roll out a stricter health and fitness compliance policy for its cabin crew from May 1, Indian media reported. Assessments will be based on Body Mass Index (BMI).
A BMI between 18 and 24.9 will be considered “normal” and fully acceptable. A BMI below 18 will be classed as “underweight,” and a BMI between 25 and 29.9 as “overweight.” Both underweight and overweight crew may remain employable only after clearance from specified medical and functional assessments. Crew in these categories will be removed from active flying rosters until they pass the functional assessment and may be placed on loss of pay pending clearance, the report said.
The policy is stricter for those with a BMI over 30, categorized as “obese.” Personnel in this category will be immediately grounded, face loss of pay, and must achieve the acceptable BMI within a stipulated number of days to return to flying duties.
News agency PTI reported on the policy after obtaining access to its details. Air India is India’s flag carrier, founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by JRD Tata, nationalized in 1953, and returned to the Tata Group in January 2022 after being bought for roughly $2.4 billion.