Passengers will be weighed along with their luggage before boarding planes in the latest bid to ensure flight safety amid concerns over bulging waistlines.
A “special weighing machine” is being installed by Uzbekistan Airways at departure gates, where passengers will be asked to step up with bags to have their weight recorded before take-off.
It isn’t the first airline to introduce such a policy – Samoan Air was the first to bring in a “pay as you weigh” scheme two years ago – but the move is likely to spark debate about whether it’s a sensible precaution or “fat shaming”.
Passengers and luggage on light aircraft are also sometimes weighed so flight crew can accurately calculate fuel needs.
A statement from Uzbekistan Airways reassured passengers that their weight would be kept confidential.
“Please be informed that Uzbekistan Airways airline carries out the procedure of pre-flight weighing for determination of the average weight of passenger with hand baggage,” the statement said.
“After passing check-in on flight and prior to boarding into the aircraft, we will suggest you to pass the procedure of weighing with the special weighing machine placed in the departure gate zone.
“The weighing record will only contain the corresponding passenger category (i.e. male/ female/ children). As for the rest, the full confidentiality of results is guaranteed.”
However, the airline also claimed the policy was designed to comply with rules of the International Air Transport Association. The association reportedly denies this was the case, claiming airlines normally calculate passenger loads as an average.
