Air India has issued sweeping new style regulations for its cabin crew, banning everything from grey hair on air stewards to pearls for their female counterparts as new owners seek to reinvent the former state carrier. The guidelines, seen by Bloomberg News, go into exceeding detail about what is and isn't allowed when it comes to crew members' appearance going forward. One style point notes that while the "bald look is permitted," men with deep receding hairlines or bald patches will be required to shave their heads - daily. Crew cuts are also barred. Now part of the Tata Sons empire after years of taxpayer-funded bailouts, Air India is also making it mandatory for female cabin crew to wear earrings - but only gold - or diamond-studded ones in a round shape. No pearls. Women aren't allowed top knots or buns at the nape of the neck, and all bobby pins used must be the same size and type, the rules state. Representatives for Air India and Tata Group didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Air India's requirements are eyebrow-raising at a time when airlines are relaxing rules around crew uniforms amid a post-pandemic shortage of staff. Many Western carriers have long dispensed with requirements around weight and attractiveness that used to be pervasive in the industry, especially for women.<br/>
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The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering approving a revised plan from Korean Air over its proposed acquisition of compatriot Asiana Airlines. The CMA on 28 November says “there are reasonable grounds” that a modified merger plan “might be accepted”, helping pave the way for an eventual green light. The regulator will have until end-January to deliberate and issue its final decision.The CMA’s disclosure, which will likely provide some relief to Korean Air, comes two weeks after it raised concerns around the impact of the merger on the London-Seoul route. It notes that as the only two operators serving Seoul directly from London, a merger between the two Korean carriers would leave only indirect competitors on the route, and could lead to higher fares for passengers and affect cargo services. Korean Air first announced plans to acquire Asiana two years ago, as the coronavirus pandemic turned the country’s aviation sector on its head. It has so far received the go-ahead from several competition regulators, including in Australia and Singapore. Still, Korean Air has yet to get the regulatory nod from key markets like the USA, China, and the European Union. The airline had previously said its acquisition plans were “still on track” despite being slower than expected in gaining approvals.<br/>