Air India Introduces BMI-Based Health Policy for Cabin Crew from May 1

Air India has announced a new health and fitness compliance policy for its cabin crew, which will come into effect from May 1. The policy links Body Mass Index (BMI) levels to flying eligibility and aims to encourage healthier lifestyle practices among crew members. 

Under the new rules, non-compliance with the prescribed BMI standards could lead to derostering and potential loss of pay until the required fitness criteria are met.

BMI Standards and Eligibility

The airline has defined a BMI range of 18 to 24.9 as the normal category and the desired standard for cabin crew members. Those who fall within this range will be considered medically fit to operate flights without additional requirements.

Crew members with a BMI below 18 will be categorised as underweight. While this does not automatically disqualify them from flying duties, they will be required to undergo a medical evaluation and functional assessment before being cleared to operate flights.

Overweight and Obesity Guidelines

Cabin crew members with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 will be classified as overweight. Individuals in this category may continue flying only if they successfully pass the prescribed functional assessment designed to evaluate their physical capability for flight duties.

However, the airline has set stricter measures for those with a BMI of 30 or above. This category is defined as obese under the policy and is not considered acceptable for flying operations. Crew members falling under this category will be immediately derostered and placed on loss of pay until their BMI is brought back within the acceptable range.

Assessment and Compliance Measures

For both underweight and overweight crew members, failure to clear the required medical or functional assessments may result in derostering. In such cases, the employees will remain off-duty and on loss of pay until they obtain the necessary clearance from the airline’s medical team.

The policy also requires those identified as obese to reduce their BMI within a specified timeframe before becoming eligible to resume flight duties.

Also Read: Government to End Airfare Cap on March 23 Post-IndiGo Crisis, Calls for Disciplined Pricing!

Conclusion

Air India’s new Cabin Crew Health and Fitness Compliance Policy is intended to promote better health awareness and ensure that crew members meet required fitness standards for their demanding roles. By linking BMI levels to operational eligibility, the airline aims to maintain safety standards while encouraging its workforce to adopt healthier lifestyles.

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