Air India to launch women-only seats after massive spike in sexual attacks on female passengers mid-flight
India's third-largest carrier says it wants to increase 'comfort' for female passengers
ONE of the world's biggest airlines is introducing women-only rows of seats after a spate of sexual harassment reports during flights.
Air India says it will allow lone women to be separated into assigned areas on its fleet of 107 planes "to enhance comfort levels".
From this week women will be able to book seats in a female-only section on flights for the same price as normal tickets.
A spokesperson for India's third largest carrier told newspaper: "There are a lot of female passengers who travel alone with us and we will be blocking a few seats for them."
Local media has speculated that the move comes amid growing concern over sexual harassment on flights.
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At least two women have come forward to tell of being groped by male passengers in the last two months, while it is thought many more assaults have taken place without being reported.
Some have criticised the move for appearing to punish single women by segregating them from others.
Jitendra Bhargava, a former Air India executive director, said: “To my knowledge, this happens nowhere in the world.
"Planes are not unsafe for women passengers. In case of unruly behaviour, the airline crew are authorised to take action as per the law.”
Consumer rights group the Air Passengers Association of India also criticised Air India's plans.
"It is an impractical move and will lead to gender discrimination", its president D. Sudhakara Reddy said.
Cases of sexual harassment and assaults on public transport in India have led to mass protests in recent years.
In 2012 the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi sparked national and international outrage.
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