This is the first time DGCA has issues such guidelines, which is likely to affect the Air India Ltd the most. Air India being a government airline has several experienced air hostesses. Photo: Mint
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made it mandatory for cabin crew above the age of 50 to pass medical checks every year to ensure they are fit to fly and not overweight for their duties.
This is the first time DGCA has issues such guidelines, which is likely to affect the the most. Air India being a government airline has several experienced air hostesses.
"The CAR (civil aviation requirements) prescribes the requirement of body mass index (BMI) and rules for disposal of high BMI cases in terms of overweight and obese cabin crew," the aviation regulator said in a statement.
These requirements have been issued under Aircrafts Rules 1937, which state that cabin crew must remain medically fit to discharge duties in in-flight operations including emergency as specified in the airline's operations manual.
Taking into consideration ageing and requirement of agility to perform cabin safety duty efficiently, frequency of medical examinations for the cabin crew will be once every four years till the age of 40 years, once every two years till the age of 50 and yearly above 50.
Based on the medical report, the cabin crew shall be categorized as fit, temporary unfit and permanently unfit, DGCA said.
"CAR prescribes guidelines for disposal of cases of temporary unfit cabin crew and also the permanent unfit cabin crew. CAR also lays down the appellate mechanism in cases of any grievance against the medical examination. CAR has been issued after extensive consultations with stakeholders and has become effective immediately," the regulator said.
Original Post By: http://ift.tt/1sfvzmF
Source : http://ift.tt/1sfvzmF