It’s okay, it’s not as bad as it seems. Air New Zealand is weighing its passengers before flights for security reasons and the information is completely anonymous.
According to reports, the airline intends to weigh 10,000 passengers between May 31 and July 2. The weights are recorded as part of a month-long survey being conducted by the airline. This is to allow pilots to better understand the weight and balance of the aircraft before takeoff.
Why does Air New Zealand weigh its passengers?
In a statement, spokesman Alastair James said: “We weigh everything that goes on the plane, from cargo to meals on board and luggage in the hold.” He added that average weights are used for customers, cabin bags and airline crew members. Passengers can be assured that participation in the survey is voluntary and no one, including airline staff, can see the individual’s weight, so it is completely anonymous. He says: “We know that stepping on the scale can be daunting. We want to assure our customers that there are no visible screens anywhere,” he writes. BBC.
Air New Zealand had previously weighed its domestic passengers in 2021. However, given the pandemic, the weighing of international travelers was delayed, according to state reports.
According to the update of the Air New Zealand website, Knowing the weight of everything (including people) on board a flight is part of security measures. The reports add that these numbers are required by the nation’s Civil Aviation Authority. Under their rules, airlines have several ways to obtain the average weight of passengers. This includes surveys (such as those being conducted by Air New Zealand), or accepting a standard weight that the authority has set.
Currently, the standard weight established by the Authority for people over 13 years of age is 86 kg, including hand luggage. This weight was last changed in 2004, when the figure was 77 kg, reports add.
