Air India sacks 10 overweight air-hostesses grounded earlier

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) Air India has terminated the services of at least 10 air hostesses, who were earlier grounded, for being overweight. Confirming the decision, an airline spokesperson said the termination of their services was carried out "strictly under the terms of their appointment.
" Airline sources said the "overweight" hostesses were given sufficient opportunity to reduce their weight to the acceptable standards. They were also offered alternate jobs on ground, which they refused to accept, they said.
The sources said while 10 air hostesses were sacked in the Northern Region, there were some more across the country who have been served similar notices. The sacked air hostesses, however, said that the action of the national carrier was illegal as they were not served any notice and the decision was taken when the matter was pending in the Supreme Court.
"The action is illegal and against the natural justice. I will soon file an application in the Supreme Court against the order," advocate Arvind Sharma, lawyer of the air hostesses, told PTI. The Air India, however, justified, its action and said that Delhi High Court had upheld its policy of taking action against overweight air hostesses and the verdict has not been stayed by the apex court.
The apex court on September last had agreed to hear the plea of the air hostesses challenging Airline's policy of taking punitive action against them for being overweight. "If we find merit (in air hostesses plea) we will restore your service," the court had said while issuing notice to the Airlines on the petition of the five air hostesses challenging the Delhi High Court.