MUMBAI: It was just last year, during Baisakhi, that Air India announced a change of uniform for its cabin crew. A year on now, the national carrier is going through what seems to be a yearly ritual from now on.
According to an official communication sent by Neera Thakur, senior manager, in-flight services, on October 25, all cabin crew have been asked to submit measurements for the airline to issue the new design which is yet to be made public, reports Mumbai Mirror.
Female crew were asked to give the required sizes for – blouse, petticoat, coatee (waist coat), trousers, Indo-western shirt and full-sleeve coat/jacket (warm coat). For men, the sizes were sought for – shirt, trousers, coats and jackets. As per the airline’s plan, the airline wants its crew members to provide these details through an online system by November 5.
Air India has cabin crew strength of 4,000. The circular also mentions that defaulting crew members not providing measurements by specified date will be issued leftover uniforms which the crew members will have to alter themselves in case of inconvenient fitting.
According to airline sources, Air India is going for a new look for its cabin crew which will be implemented once the two-year contract with the agency supplying the uniform material ends.
Currently, while the male crew are kitted in blue trousers, blue pinstripe shirts, red ties and blue jackets, airhostess’ have western dresses in addition to saris.
Air India has always preferred to stick to the humble sari. In 2007, the national carrier decided a makeover was long overdue. Alongside the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, it decided to do away with its old uniforms that had been designed in-house by crew members. In March 2009, it roped in Ritu Beri to design attire for their female staff and Pierre Cardin for men. Both were chosen after considering designers like JJ Walia, Tarun Tahiliani and Satya Paul.
Delhi-based Beri recalled that the new red tunic as well as the red sari with black-and-white border had been “inspired by the Konark Chakra”, as they both depict the sun with its rays spreading in all directions.
