is reportedly planning to roll out a health and fitness compliance rule for its cabin crew, under which staff found to be underweight, overweight or obese may face consequences such as de-rostering and potential loss of pay.
The compliance assessment will be based on the cabin crew members’ Body Mass Index (BMI) with a reading between 18-24.9 classified as ‘normal’ and considered the ‘desired range’ by the airline.
The initiative, which forms part of the carrier’s ‘Cabin Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy’, is set to come into effect from May 1, 2026, according to news agency PTI.
Livemint has contacted Air India for an official response. This article will be updated accordingly.
BMI criteria for the crew — explained
A BMI reading of less than 18 will be considered as ‘underweight’, though it may be acceptable subject to clearing of medical evaluation and functional assessment,
According to the policy accessed by the news agency, a BMI reading of less than 18 will be classified as ‘underweight’, though it may still be considered acceptable if the cabin crew member clears a medical evaluation and functional assessment.
Meanwhile, a BMI reading in the range of 25-29.9 will be categorised as ‘overweight’ and will be considered acceptable, provided the cabin crew member passes the required functional assessment.
However, a BMI reading of 30 or above will be classifief as ‘obese’ and will not fall within the acceptable range under the policy.
Consequences of lapses
For those who fail to meet the BMI criteria, will be subjected to certain consequences. A cabin crew member will be de-rostered if he or she is found to be either ‘underweight’ or ‘overweight’ and will mandatorily require to clear the functional assessment.
In case the member fails to pass the assessment, then he or she will be placed on loss of pay till the clearance happens, the policy said.
Meanwhile, for members who are found ‘obese’, the immediate action will include de-rostering and loss of pay. Such people will have to achieve the acceptable BMI within a certain number of days.
Loss-making Air India, which was acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, will take corrective actions against the obese cabin crew members for failure to meet the BMI parameters, according to the report.
Aim of the initiative
Air India informed its cabin crew members that the initial launch of the policy is aimed at promoting awareness of maintaining a and familiarise them with the process of maintaining an appropriate weight category.
“The current policy, in the interim, serves as a preparatory measure before the policy with enhanced fitness standards is implemented,” it said.
The new policy will be applicable to those flying as well as those who are currently receiving training, the agency reported.
(with inputs from agency)