The Delhi high court on Thursday upheld state-run carrier Indian's decision to ground airhostesses for being overweight, saying the airline had the right to take such steps to remain competitive.

"Keeping in view this kind of job performance, airhostesses are asked to battle their bulge, control their girth and keep at a desired level their body weight as per the norms," Justice Rekha [Images] Sharma said, while dismissing an appeal against the airlines' decision.

The court also held that physical fitness was an integral part for the cabin crew.

"In this era of cut-throat competition, no airlines can afford to remain lax in any department whatsoever, be it the personality of its crew members, their physical fitness in all respects or the air worthiness of the aircraft or in relation to other facilities such as catering," the court said.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by some airhostesses who were grounded for being overweight. The plea challenged Indian Airlines' circular of May 4, 2006, withdrawing permissible overweight limit of 3 kg over and above the upper limit as laid down for cabin crew.

The airlines had in June 1996 decided to ground its cabin crew for being overweight by more than 10 kg. This was later brought down to 7 kg in 1998 and to 3 kg in October 2000.

The court also rejected the airhostesses' plea they cannot be grounded once they have obtained medical certificate declaring them fit to fly.