A Chinese low-cost carrier is facing a sexism controversy for using the term "Air Aunties" in a flight attendant job posting that favors married women.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 2nd local time, Spring Airlines, based in Shanghai, recently posted a job notice saying it would hire 30 to 60 people in the Shanghai and Lanzhou areas, targeting female applicants ages 25 to 40.
The notice said applicants who are married or have children would receive extra points and referred to them as "Air Aunties." It listed a bachelor's degree or higher and a height of 162 to 174 centimeters as requirements, and said applicants with customer service experience would be preferred.
Spring Airlines' move drew attention because it differs from the Chinese airline industry's existing hiring practice of preferring mostly unmarried women ages 18 to 25. Some observers positively assessed it as an expansion of reemployment opportunities for women who have had career breaks.
However, once the term "Air Aunties" appeared, criticism quickly spread on Chinese social media that "it is clear sexism to classify women by age or marital status."
As the controversy grew, Spring Airlines released an official position, saying it did not intend to cause discomfort and explaining it was part of a personnel policy that respects women's diverse careers and life stages.
It added that "Air Aunties" is merely a name to distinguish them from unmarried flight attendants and that pay and job duties are the same as for existing attendants.