Air India is set to introduce a new health and fitness policy for its cabin crew starting May 1, a move that could significantly influence both work schedules and earnings. The policy establishes a direct connection between an employee’s fitness levels and their eligibility to remain on active duty, with Body Mass Index (BMI) and functional fitness assessments forming the basis of evaluation.
Under the new framework, a BMI between 18 and 24.9 has been defined as the ideal or “normal” range. Crew members falling below this threshold will be classified as underweight, while those in the 25 to 29.9 range will be considered overweight. In both cases, individuals may continue working, but only if they pass a mandatory functional fitness assessment and medical evaluation.
However, the policy adopts a stricter stance for those with a BMI of 30 or above, categorising them as obese. Such individuals will be immediately removed from duty rosters and placed on loss of pay until they bring their BMI back within acceptable limits.
Crew members identified as underweight or overweight will also face derostering and will need to undergo fitness assessments. Failure to meet the required standards during these evaluations will result in loss of pay until compliance is achieved.
In its internal communication, the airline stated that the initial rollout is intended to create awareness about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to familiarise employees with the updated compliance process. It also described this phase as preparatory, indicating that even stricter fitness norms could be introduced in the future.
The policy will apply uniformly to both currently active cabin crew and those still in training, ensuring that all personnel meet the same standards.
This development comes amid Air India’s broader restructuring efforts following its acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022. As part of this transformation, the airline has already reduced a substantial portion of its legacy workforce over recent years. Officials have indicated that strict corrective measures will be enforced, particularly for those falling into the obese category, highlighting the company’s focus on aligning employee fitness with operational requirements.
