Air France Asks Stewardesses to Follow Islamic Dress Code in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Air France has ordered its female flight attendants to adhere to the Islamic dress code when flying into Iran.
The order instructed Air France stewardesses to cover their hair once they disembark in Tehran, the Telegraph reported on Saturday.
The flight attendants are also required not to smoke in public spaces, the report added.
Meanwhile, the airline’s female crew protested at the decision and said they will refuse to fly to the Iranian capital when the airline resumes the service later this month.
The resumption of a thrice-weekly service between Paris and Tehran is planned for April 17 following a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.
Flore Arrighi, head of the Union des Navigants de l’Aviation Civile (UNAC) flight crews’ union, said, “Stewardesses must be given the right to refuse these flights.”
However, Françoise Redolfi of the UNSA union said Air France had told staff it was restoring rules that applied before 2008, when Air France discontinued flights to Iran.
This is while the airline's stewardesses must wear the “abaya”, a long robe that covers body, when flying into Saudi Arabia.
Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) reached a nuclear deal on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.
