Fat air hostesses grounded in India

A court had ruled that Indian airline Air India is allowed to ban its air hostesses from flying if they are deemed to be overweight.

The judges threw out a case brought by five air hostesses who complained they had been grounded for being too flabby.

Delhi high court agreed with claims from the airline that fat flight staff presented a health and safety hazard and that hostess's physical condition and appearance plays an important role in her overall personality.

Air India - whose air hostesses wear traditional Indian saris - is increasingly up against private airlines with younger flight crews who often wear shorter skirts.

Two years ago it introduced staff weight limits based on an employee's height and age.