Air France crews may boycott Iran flights over head scarves

PARIS — Air France flight attendants, upset at being ordered to wear head scarves in Tehran, say they will refuse to fly to the Iranian capital when the airline resumes service.

Female members of flight crews have been ordered to cover their hair once they disembark in Tehran and unions are demanding that the flights be made voluntary for women.

The resumption of a thriceweekly service between Paris and Tehran, planned for April 17 after an eight-year break, follows a thaw in relations since Iran agreed to dismantle large sections of its nuclear program.

Iranian women have been forced by law to cover their hair or face stiff fines or even imprisonment since 1979.

In secular France, however, public signs of religion have been frowned upon since a 1905 law separated church and state.

French women see Islamic head scarves and veils as an affront to their dignity. They are banned in state schools and offices, and it is illegal to wear the full-face veil in public.

Flore Arrighi, head of the UNAC flight crews’ union, said: “It is not our role to pass judgment on the wearing of head scarves or veils in Iran. What we are denouncing is that it is being made compulsory. Stewardesses must be given the right to refuse these flights.”

However, the financially ailing French airline, which sees the resumption of Tehran flights as an “excellent” business development, noted that other airline staff comply with Iranian rules.

“Tolerance and respect for the customs of the countries we serve are part of the values of our company,” a spokesman said.

In Saudi Arabia, stewardesses must wear the “abaya,” a long robe that covers the body but, unlike Saudi women, are not compelled to wear face veils.

Air France argued that French law allows “the restriction of individual liberties” if “justified by the nature of the task to be accomplished.”

Christophe Pillet, the deputy head of the SNPNC flight crews’ union, said: “Female staff do not wish to have dress regulations imposed on them.”

He said staff were prepared to wear head scarves in Iran when out of uniform, but objected to being ordered to wear them as part of their uniform.