ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reportedly suspended 140 flight attendants for being overweight and restrained them from performing duties in July.
The national carrier has grounded several male and female flight attendants for being overweight. They have also been stopped from being included in the duty roster for July flights and further promotions. The flight attendants were unable to adopt a rigorous diet plan given amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A PIA spokesperson said in a statement said 85 flight attendants have been grounded and the decision was taken after continuous complaints. He added that the airline issued warnings multiple times obese flight attendants before taking action.
In 2019, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management had considered a proposal to offload overweight flight attendants from international flights.
PIA had also issued a memo directing 1,800 flight attendants to lose weight up to the desired standard set or else they would be grounded. The airline had announced to gradually reduce waiver of 30 lbs (pounds) excess weight to zero lbs for the cabin crew.
It had directed that any crew found above 30 lbs from the desired weight after the said date will be grounded and referred to Air Crew Medical Center for medical evaluation and treatment until they reduced weight to the desired standard.
