New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS): The aviation regulator has proposed to align the BMI (Body Mass Index) requirement for female air crew with that of other crew categories.

The index is a mathematical tool which shows whether a person is underweight, normal weight or excess weight.

The proposal assumes significance as there are stringent BMI requirements for the air hostess category compared to that of air steward or pilots.

Currently, for a male cabin crew the BMI range of 18-25 is considered normal, the same for a female cabin crew has been kept at 18-22.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) posted on the regulator's website on November 27: "Standards for overweight or obese for cabin crew shall be dealt in conformity with 'AIC 09/2008' titled 'Obesity & Commercial Aircrew'."

It further states: "Functional assessment of overweight or obese cabin crew shall be carried out by the 'Qualified Cabin Crew Instructor' at the time of making decision about fitness for duty to assess whether she or he is able to carry out various activities towards handling of aircraft emergencies and medical emergencies as effectively as is expected."