New Delhi, April 7 (IANS): After Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) urged Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman to cut her ties with Etihad Airways citing its anti-feminist policies, the airlines issued a statement that it supports its employees through thick and thin.

APFA had criticised Kidman for featuring in an advertisement campaign for the airlines, which is owned by the United Arab Emirates, saying that Etihad has fired women for becoming pregnant and forced flight attendants to live in confined compounds.

However, the airlines has emphasised that it sticks to rules and regulation of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which has the pregnancy clause too.

“Etihad fully supports its cabin crew during and after their pregnancy. When a cabin crew member informs Etihad of a pregnancy, she is provided with appropriate ground duties for the duration of pregnancy," the airline said.

“Cabin crew are also entitled to paid maternity leave if they have completed more than one year’s service. Our cabin crew are then able to return to their flying role at the end of their maternity leave period.'

"The health and safety of our cabin crew remains paramount. Therefore, we follow the GCAA requirement that crew do not continue to fly while pregnant,” read a statement.

According to hollywoodreporter.com, Kidman's representative did not respond to a request for comment.