Why Korean Air Will be Weighing Some Passengers Before Their Flights
Korean Air passengers embarking on upcoming flights may find an unexpected pre-boarding step – a brief weigh-in. However, this new policy isn’t about body image; it’s a measure to adhere to crucial requirements for plane weight data acquisition.
In alignment with global aviation norms, Korean Air will be executing a temporary program for obtaining accurate weight information from passengers. The initiative will impact select travellers departing from Gimpo International Airport (GMP) between August 28 and September 3, as well as those departing from Incheon International Airport (ICA) from September 8 to 19.
The airline emphasizes that both passengers and their baggage will be weighed anonymously. The collected data will then be shared with South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
Korean Air assures passengers that they can choose to opt out of this data collection process if they prefer. A passenger simply needs to inform a staff member at the airport.
While it may come as a surprise to some travellers to be asked to step onto a scale, such procedures are not determined by individual airlines. Instead, they are often mandated by national aviation regulatory bodies.
Earlier this year, Air New Zealand also carried out a comparable program for certain customers travelling on international routes, especially the extensive journey between Auckland and New York’s JFK.
Acknowledging the potential unease of stepping on a scale, Air New Zealand’s representative clarified, “We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere. No one can see your weight, not even us.”
This practice of collecting passenger weight data serves a significant purpose for airlines. The data assists in determining optimal fuel requirements and weight distribution onboard, contributing to safer and more efficient flights.
