The airline reportedly plans to determine the weight of 10,000 passengers from May 31 to July 2. This data collection is part of a month-long survey conducted by the airline.
The purpose of the survey is to give pilots a more accurate understanding of the weight and balance of the aircraft before takeoff.
“We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft — from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold.” He added that for customers, cabin bags and airline crew, average weights are used. Passengers can be rest assured that participation in the survey is voluntary, and no one, including the airline staff, can see the individual’s weight, making it completely anonymous. He says, “We know stepping on the scales can be daunting. We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere,” spokesperson Alastair James. said to the BBC.
Prior to 2021, Air New Zealand weighed its domestic passengers. Reportedly, the pandemic has caused a delay in weighing international travelers.
As stated in the recent Air New Zealand website update, obtaining the weight of all items onboard, including passengers, is a crucial safety measure. According to reports, these figures are mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the country. Airlines have multiple methods to determine an average passenger weight in accordance with the authority’s regulations. This can involve conducting surveys, as Air New Zealand is currently undertaking, or adopting a standard weight set by the authority.
Currently, the agency has set a standard weight for passengers 13 and older of 86 kg, including carry-on baggage. Reportedly, this weight was last changed in 2004, when it was 77 kg.