Turkish Airlines has grounded 28 flight attendants for being overweight and given them six months to slim. The employees, 13 of whom are women, are on unpaid leave in Turkey until they lose weight, the Haber Turk daily newspaper said. 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," Turkish Airlines reportedly said in a statement to its crew. Izzet Levi, head of a cabin attendants' association, told Haber Turk he had been told he must lose 22lbs if he is to return to his post. Turkish Airlines is Europe's fourth largest carrier by passenger numbers. Source: orange news