A select number of Korean Air passengers will be asked to step on the scales when they next fly with the carrier.
While some passengers may feel slightly uncomfortable with the request, there is a very important reason behind the task.
On arrival at Gimpo Airport (GMP) between August 28, 2023, and September 6, 2023, as well as having their baggage weighed some passengers travelling on domestic flights will be asked to provide their weight.
Then from September 8, 2023, and September 19, 2023, international travelers at Incheon Airport (ICN) will be asked the same.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the weigh-ins comply with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s aviation regulation.
Under the regulation, assessment of standardized passenger weight and their carry-on item must be recorded.
This means that every five years, or when it is deemed necessary, airlines must calculate the passenger standard weight, which helps with weight distribution calculations on flights and improves safety.
“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,” an airline official told the Korea JoongAng Daily.
In May 2023, Air New Zealand announced a similar measure and weighed around 10,000 of its passengers before their flight.