Cash-starved Air India putting crews on low-fat diet

Airline spokesman Dhananjay Kumar said the objective is to provide healthy and cost-effective meals to crews on domestic and international flights. PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW DELHI (AP) - India's cash-starved state-run Air India is putting its crew on a diet, changing their inflight menu to special low-fat meals.

Dhananjay Kumar, the airline spokesman, says the objective is to provide healthy and cost-effective meals to crews on domestic and international flights.

Kumar on Wednesday (Sept 18) declined comment on media reports that the cost per meal, mostly vegetarian, will come down to one-third of the existing 500-800 rupees (up to S$15) per meal.

The decision comes at a time when the Indian government is trying to sell off the airline, which has debts of nearly 580 billion rupees (S$11 billion).

In 2009, the airline fired 10 air hostesses for being overweight after they failed to get back in shape three years after they were switched to ground jobs.

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