Airlines grounds overweight staff

The employees, 13 of whom are women, are on unpaid leave until they
lose weight, Haber Turk daily said, citing a statement from state-run Turkish
Airlines. All of them previously had been warned to shape up, it added.
"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. No one was available over the weekend at Turkish Airlines,
Europe's fourth largest carrier by passenger volume, to confirm the report.
Izzet Levi, head of a cabin attendants' association who was among those
furloughed, told Haber Turk he must drop 10 kg to reach 96 kg if he is to
return to his post.