Air NZ to weigh passengers before take-off to make fuel assessment

Before boarding foreign flights, Air New Zealand weighs passengers as part of a study to ascertain the average passenger weight.

According to the company, the weight would be secretly entered into a database and kept from airline employees and other passengers.

According to Air New Zealand, knowing the weight of the typical passenger might increase fuel economy in the future.

The airline stated that participation in the survey is entirely optional.

Prior to 2021, the airline weighed domestic passengers in New Zealand.

The airline stated that “now that international travel is back up and running, it’s time for international flyers to weigh in.”

The airline operated 3,400 flights per week and carried more than 17 million passengers annually before the pandemic.

According to airline spokesman Alastair James in a video, it is a “regulatory requirement” to know the total weight of everything that goes onto its aircraft.

“We are aware that using the scales can be intimidating. There is no apparent display whatsoever, we want to reassure our clients, Mr. James stated. You’ll be assisting us in always flying safely and effectively by adding your weight.

More than 10,000 passengers using Air New Zealand’s overseas network will be asked to participate in the poll.

Between May 29 and July 2, passengers on specific aircraft leaving Auckland International Airport will be weighed at the gates.

The airline said that all items traveling on its aircraft, including cargo, onboard meals, and checked baggage, are weighed; for passengers, staff, and cabin bags, average weights based on survey data were utilized.

The national airline of New Zealand, Air New Zealand, currently has 104 aircraft in service.