AirAsia to deploy all-male crew on Aceh flights after hijab ruling
AirAsia said it will deploy all-male crew on flights to and from Banda Aceh in Indonesia.
The move comes after Acehnese authorities mandated all Muslim female crew must wear head coverings.
Aceh is the sole region of Indonesia that adheres to conservative Shariah Islamic law.
"For the time being, all AirAsia flights from and to Aceh will be operated by male cabin crew," said AirAsia Indonesia’s corporate secretary Baskoro Adiwiyono.
Aceh authorities issued the ruling to all airlines serving the region last week.
Non-Muslim flights attendants were not required to wear the hijab, said Mawardi Ali, chief of Aceh Besar region.
Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and its budget brand Citilink will comply with the edict.
"Garuda respects and upholds local wisdom," spokesman Ikhsan Rosan said.
Aceh, which was hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami, has strict Shariah laws against adultery, gambling, alcohol and other anti-Islamic behaviour, often punishable by public caning.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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