The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is going to make regular health check-ups mandatory for cabin crew just like they are for pilots. Those who fail the tests will either be asked to get back in shape to get airborne again or be declared permanently unfit for flying duties.

The aviation authority is going to issue a civil aviation requirement (CAR), under which airlines will have to ensure that cabin crew under 40 years of age gets their body mass index (height-weight ratio used for measuring obesity), blood pressure and sugar levels checked once in two years. Cabin crew over 40 will have annual checkups as per an ET report.

"This is a class II medical requirement prescribed by the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization and is followed by many countries like those in Europe and Australia. We have decided to mandate regular checkups for cabin crew just like pilots. An appropriate CAR will be issued soon," said asenior official.

Based on test reports, crew will be classified into three categories — medically fit, temporarily unfit and permanently unfit. Reports from the last category will be sent to the DGCA which will then declare them unfit for flying and then the airline will have to relocate them for ground duties.

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