THAI Airways seeking a younger image

Passengers of Thai Airways International (THAI) can expect to be served by younger female flight attendants as senior staff take up an unprecedented voluntary resignation package.

The scheme is the first so-called "mutual separation plan" - or MSP - to be launched by THAI in its 50-year history and exclusively targets female flight attendants aged 45 and over.The initiative, which has been backed by the airline's union, is part of the management's bid to rejuvenate THAI's brand image and save costs, while giving senior crew the chance to stay on or leave the firm, said THAI executives.To avoid allegations of sex and age discrimination, THAI plans to make voluntary retirement highly appealing, with flight attendants who have served for 15 years being offered a lump-sum of up to 30 times their monthly salary.THAI president Piyasvasti Amranand said the MSP would help the airline trim operating costs. Older THAI cabin attendants earn about 100,000 Baht a month, while younger colleagues get about 30,000 Baht.

THAI's liberal terms and relatively generous employment benefits have resulted in the airline having a growing number of older female attendants, with about 800 currently aged 45 or above.About 400 of THAI's male stewards are at least 45, but they are excluded from THAI's MSP.

Source: Bangkok Post 01-05-2010
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Hm, male stewards are not concerned, - nothing to say about discrimination? It obviously is not a problem with regards to males, when their salaries are high?