In an unprecedented move, South Korea’s largest airline, Korean Air, has announced that passengers will be required to step on weighing scales before boarding their flights. This measure is not intended to discriminate against passengers of different sizes; instead, it is a proactive approach to enhancing flight safety and performance.
The airline has clarified on its website that the collected data will be used anonymously for survey purposes and will not result in overweight passengers paying more. The primary goal is to assess the impact of passenger weight, including carry-on items, on the safety and performance of flights.
According to an airline representative, this initiative is crucial for the safety of flight operations, and Korean Air is fully committed to prioritizing safety. The data collected will be used to study how a plane’s overall weight affects fuel consumption and the distances it can fly. Additionally, this information helps aviation organizations identify strategies for better weight distribution on board.
This weighing process is set to take place from August 28 to September 3 at South Korea’s Gimpo International Airport, followed by Incheon International Airport between September 8 and September 19. Passengers have the voluntary choice to opt-out of the practice by informing a staff member.
Korean Air assures passengers that the weighing process will be conducted anonymously, and the data will be shared with the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. This periodic practice aligns with Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation’s mandate for flag carriers to update their ‘Aircraft Weight and Balance Management Standards.’
Similar initiatives have been implemented in other countries, with Air New Zealand conducting a comparable program earlier this year. The national carrier conducted weight and luggage checks for passengers flying on long international routes, ensuring privacy and emphasizing the essential nature of the initiative for the safe and efficient operation of aircraft.
As the aviation industry continues to prioritize safety and efficiency, these measures contribute to the overall well-being of passengers and the smooth operation of flights.
