An airline will now weigh passengers before boarding as part of an effort to understand the average weight of travellers and their carry-on luggage. If you're travelling with Air New Zealand between May 29 and July 2, you may be asked to hop on the scale as part of the airline's new research programme.
Estimating an aircraft's weight is crucial to operating an airline. Air New Zealand load control improvement specialist, Alastair James, explains: "We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft – from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold.
"For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey." Regulations require the survey to be done every five years, so this is not a first for the airline.
Around 10,000 need to be weighed as part of the research with two scales set up at gate lounges at Auckland International Airport. But passengers will not be forced to take part as it is voluntary.
James added: "We know stepping on the scales can be daunting. We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere."
The Civil Aviation Authority says it is "dangerous" to carry passengers without an observance of weight stipulations.
Maximum take-off and landing weights need to be known to determine the appropriate airspeed of the aircraft.
