Air India has fired nine hostesses after declaring them ‘medically unfit’ to fly. The air hostesses were between 11kg (24 lb) and 32kg (70 lb) overweight.
The women were grounded some months ago, and in that time were unable to lose enough weight.
Air India said safety was a “prime function” and that “being grossly overweight does have a bearing on reflexes and can impair agility required to perform the emergency functions”. (from BBC).
Some of the hostesses had filed a legal challenge through the Indian High Court – but it was thrown out.
Obesity and air travel is a controversial topic – with Canadian airlines currently debating what constitutes an overweight person and how they should be charged for a possible second seat. Previously the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that ‘disabled’ passengers should not be charged for a second seat. It appears that morbidly obese travelers must have a doctor’s note with them that confirms they will require the second seat.
More like this in Big Business Jan 7, 2009
feeds.feedburner.com
