Air India to get in shape before Tata takeover; airline to check BMI, grooming of cabin crew before flights

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Air India to get in shape before Tata takeover: Will check BMI, grooming of cabin crew before flights&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspiStock Images

As Air India prepares to be transferred to its new owner —Tata Group—the Maharaja-besotted airline has started a process to streamline itself, beginning with its cabin crew. The airline, which will be transferred to Tata Group on January 27, will check the body-mass index and overall grooming of its cabin crew before flights.

On January 20, the airline informed its crew that grooming associates have been assigned the task of recording observations on BMI management, grooming and uniform, according to a Times of India report.

One common complaint against Air India from passengers is comfort on long-haul flights. The cash-strapped airline hopes to address these concerns with new investments and promoters.

The January 22 order issued by Executive Director (inflight services) Vasudha Chandna has met with some resistance from cabin crew staff. All India Cabin Crew Association has opposed the order citing violation of agreements.

“The time for reporting (for flights) is meant for documentation and flight safety revision briefing and review. This stressful BMI check during a reporting is bound to disturb crew mental preparation, giving rise to flight safety issues, pre-departure when cabin crew are required to conduct rapid review & briefings. Cabin crew first and foremost (are) flight safety professionals trained in first aid and also conducting hospitality and inflight service functions,” the union said in a letter.

Air India will become a Tata Group company starting January 27. Air India director Vinod Hejmadi in an email to employees said the disinvestment process shall be done on January 27. The closing balance sheet as on January 20 has to be provided on January 24 so that it can be reviewed by Tatas and changes, if any, will be implemented on Wednesday.

“The next three days will be hectic for our department and I request all of you to give your best in these last three four days before we get divested. We may have to work late in the night to complete the task given to us. I seek the cooperation of one and all,” he added.

Tata Group’s holding company Talace won a bid to buy 100% stake in Air India and Air India Express along with a 50% stake in ground handling company AISATS.

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