Air New Zealand is weighing passengers before they board international flights. Image source: GETTY IMAGES
Airlines depend on weight and balance calculations to guarantee the stability and safety of their aircraft while in flight.
Airlines can calculate and alter variables like fuel usage, cargo loading, and seating arrangements with greater accuracy by receiving more precise data on average passenger weights.
It’s vital to remember that surveys of this nature are typical in the aviation sector. To meet with regulations, airlines routinely conduct weight and balance evaluations.
Air New Zealand has made it clear that the weight information gathered from respondents throughout the survey would be maintained in an anonymous database.
This information won’t be accessible to airline employees or other travelers, protecting each person’s privacy and confidentiality.
To increase fuel efficiency in the future, this data is being gathered.
Air New Zealand can optimize its operations to increase efficiency and lessen its environmental effect by having a more accurate grasp of the average passenger weight.
It’s crucial to remember that taking part in the survey is completely optional.
Whether a passenger chooses to participate or not will not have any bearing on whether they can board the plane or any other aspect of their travel experience.
Air New Zealand has previously conducted weight surveys on domestic passengers in New Zealand in 2021.
However, with international travel resuming, the airline has now extended the survey to include international flyers as well.
The aim is to gather comprehensive data on passenger weights to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
The airline highlighted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, they served a significant number of passengers, with over 17 million people flying with them annually.
This high volume of flights, averaging 3,400 per week, emphasizes the importance of accurate weight and balance calculations to ensure the safety and smooth operations of their flights.
By extending the survey to international travelers, Air New Zealand aims to improve their understanding of the average weight of passengers across their entire network, contributing to more efficient and sustainable flight operations.
Alastair James, a spokesman for Air New Zealand, said that it is a legal necessity to know the total weight of the aircraft.
He underlined in a video statement that the airline is aware of how unsettling it might be for passengers to step on scales.
Customers were promised by him that their weight would never be displayed in any way.
Passengers will aid the airline in operating safely and effectively by taking the survey.
More than 10,000 users of Air New Zealand’s international network are expected to be asked to participate in the weight survey.
This sizeable sample will contribute to future computations and procedures being more precise by enabling a thorough understanding of average passenger weights.
Air New Zealand has stated that from May 29 to July 2, some flights leaving from Auckland International Airport would weigh passengers as they enter the aircraft.
The airline clarified that it weighs all cargo, onboard meals, and hold luggage in addition to everything else that travels on its aircraft.
However, average weights based on survey data have previously been utilized for passengers, staff, and cabin luggage.
Air New Zealand, the flag airline of New Zealand, has a fleet of 104 aircraft.
The airline seeks to increase the precision of its weight and balance calculations for aircraft operations by gathering actual passenger weight data through the gate weighing procedure.
The effectiveness, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of their flights will be improved by this program.