Asiana Airlines to measure passengers' weights as per regulations

Asiana Airlines will be measuring passengers' body weights from Tuesday to Dec. 21 at Gimpo International Airport in adherence to government regulations.

A Korean Air sign informs its passengers of measuring their body weights, including their carry-on items, as part of data collection to calculate the average weight of passengers on flights at a departure gate for a domestic flight at Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo District, western Seoul, on Aug. 28. [NEWS1]

Asiana Airlines will be measuring passengers' body weights from Tuesday to Dec. 21 at Gimpo International Airport in adherence to government regulations.

The data collection had sparked backlash when it was conducted by other airlines in the past. The measure is to comply with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aviation codes, which mandate the assessment of standardized passenger weight, including their carry-on items.

They will be carried out at departure gates for domestic flights at the airport in Gangseo District, western Seoul.

Passengers boarding an Asiana Airlines plane bound for a domestic destination will be weighed with their carry-on items. However, they can refuse to be measured without penalties.

Asiana Airlines said the data will remain confidential.

"The [measurement] is to calculate the average weight of passengers and will not be used for other purposes," a company spokesperson said.

Airlines must measure the average weight of passengers at least once every five years in line with the Transport Ministry's general standards for aircraft weight and balance.

The data is used to determine weight distribution along the plane to maintain stability and balance to ensure safe flight operations.

Furthermore, the airlines, with the data, can determine the amount of aviation fuel required for the flight, allowing for more cost-efficient operations.

Other domestic airlines, including Korean Air and Jeju Air, had collected data for the average weight of passengers in August this year and December last year, respectively.

"We politely request that [passengers] cooperate in the measurement so that we may operate safe flights. If you do not want to measure [your weight], you can always talk to an employee," an Asiana Airlines worker said.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]