10 AUG: Turkish Airlines has grounded 28 flight attendants for being overweight and given them six months to slim down or face reassignment.
The employees, 13 of whom are women, are on unpaid leave until they lose weight, daily newspaper Haber Turk reported, citing a statement from the state-owned carrier.
All had earlier been warned to shape up.
"Weight and height are important factors at all airlines. These criteria are important both in terms of appearance and the ability to move about," the statement said.
Izzet Levi, head of a cabin crew association who was among those grounded, told the newspaper he must drop 10 kilos to reach 96 kilos if he is to return to his post.
