Indian airline to only employ ‘lighter’ female attendants

Cutting down on the amount of fuel we use is a hot topic of conversation – and one Indian airline has decided on a rather radical way of reducing its use.

Go Air has announced that it will only employ female flight attendants from now on as they are lighter than their male counterparts.

The airline believes that by hiring women it will save around £329,000 in fuel costs as they weigh between 33 and 44lbs less than men on average.

"We are looking at all possible ways of cost-cutting to remain profitable," chief Giorgio De Roni told the Times of India.

So, what other novel ways could airlines save on fuel?

Removing heavy seats – passengers could stand up as they would on a packed bus, although I'm not sure how practical this is if you are travelling to Australia.

Ridding the plane of its pilot and crew – airlines could reduce the weight of its crew by having them at a central base, flying the plane from a simulator machine.

Ban luggage – passengers would have to enjoy their two-week break in Magaluf without changing their clothes.