An airline of New Zealand is conducting a unique experiment. Actually, before traveling in the airplane, now this airline is also checking the weight of the passengers. The way the weight of the luggage is checked, now the weight of the passengers will also be checked. Airline officials argue behind this that this survey is being done for the ease and convenience of the pilot.
New Zealand’s national airline says it plans to weigh 10,000 passengers during a month-long survey. He says that after knowing the weight, the pilot can balance better at the time of take-off and landing. However, to maintain confidentiality, the weight will not be visible to anyone else. The airline staff would not even be able to tell by the weight figure. Airline weighing officer Alistair James said that we weigh everything that goes on the plane. For the weight of passengers, staff and bags, we use the average weight, which we get from this survey. The Civil Aviation Department says numbers are needed for information.
The department says that airlines have several options for weighing passengers. The first option is to weigh passengers from time to time, as is currently being done. Also there is an option to apply the standard weight issued by the department. At present, the department has fixed a standard weight of 86 kg for people aged 13 years and above, which includes the weight of luggage. The department had increased the weight figure from 77 kg to 86 kg in 2004.
New Zealand’s airline says passengers traveling domestically were weighed a few years ago. James says that passengers should not be afraid of getting weighed. It is very easy and voluntary. After weighing you can ensure successful take off and landing. The official says that the survey started this week, which will continue till July.