Airline introducing rule where all passengers have to be weighed on scales before flight

There is no questioning that a lot has to be done at the airport - from the weighing of all the bags to going through security.

For a lot of us, successfully passing through airport security results in our worries and nerves calming down quite a bit after we tuck into a pint and wait for our flight to board.

However, if you fly with one particular airline, then there looks set to be another hurdle to navigate once that dreaded security check is passed through.

Korean Air, which is actually South Korea's flagship airline, is planning to weigh passengers before they board their flights.

As per a report by Korea JoongAng Daily, they are doing so not by choice but because local laws demand it.

The outlet states that the airline will begin measuring the weight of passengers and their carry-on luggage for domestic flights flying from Gimpo Airport from 28 August and running through to the 6 September.

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The newspaper added that the same rules will apply at Incheon Airport from 8 September to 19 September.

A spokesperson for the airline told Korea JoongAng Daily: "Korean Air passengers will be asked to step on scales with their carried-on items at each boarding gate.

"The data collated anonymously will be utilized for survey purposes and doesn't mean overweight passengers will need to pay more."

UNILAD has reached out to Korean Airlines for comment.

The move from Korean Airlines comes in response to a recent rule change set out by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

It has become a mandatory requirement that airlines assess standardised passenger weights that include their carry-on items.

The regulation means that airlines must calculate the standard weight of passengers at least every five years in order to work out how best to distribute aircraft weight.

Not only that, but it will also help curtail fuel consumption and improve the overall safety of an aircraft, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily.

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Korean Air are not actually the first airline to weigh passengers prior to boarding, as Air New Zealand introduced a similar measure earlier this year.

“We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft – from the cargo to the meals on-board, to the luggage in the hold,” Air New Zealand Load Control Improvement Specialist Alistair James said in May.

The airline added that not everyone will be weighed, as it will only be for passengers who volunteer.

“We know stepping on the scales can be daunting. We want to reassure our customers there is no visible display anywhere. No one can see your weight – not even us! It’s completely anonymous,” James added.

"It's simple, it’s voluntary, and by weighing in, you’ll be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time.”