National Desk: Air India has introduced stricter fitness regulations for its cabin crew, making physical fitness—along with experience—a key factor in determining who can fly. The Tata Group-owned airline will implement a new Cabin Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy from May 1, under which Body Mass Index (BMI) will play a decisive role in job status and salary.
Four BMI-Based Categories Defined
Air India has classified cabin crew into four categories based on BMI:
- Normal (18–24.9): Considered fully fit. Crew members can continue flying without any restrictions.
- Underweight (Below 18): Deemed unfit. Staff will be removed from duty and sent for medical evaluation.
- Overweight (25–29.9): Also restricted from active flying. They can return only after receiving medical clearance.
- Obese (30 and above): Categorized as unfit for flying under any circumstances.
Non-Compliance Could Affect Salary and Job
Failure to meet fitness standards may lead to serious consequences:
- Grounding & No Pay: Unfit employees will be immediately taken off duty and placed on leave without pay until they are declared fit.
- Strict Monitoring: Random BMI checks will be conducted before and after flights.
- Warning System: Crew members will be given 30 days to improve. Failure to meet standards will result in a caution letter, followed by a final warning and possible disciplinary action if no improvement is seen in the next 30 days.
Mandatory Medical Tests
Crew members with a BMI of 30 or above must undergo essential medical tests—such as blood sugar and lipid profile—within 7 days. The airline aims to identify whether underlying health conditions are contributing to weight gain.
Why This Policy Matters
Air India states that maintaining optimal fitness levels among cabin crew is critical not only for flight safety but also for ensuring effective passenger service and handling emergency situations.
