New ZealandB次元官网网址檚 national airline is asking passengers to step on the scales before they board international flights.

Air New Zealand says it wants to weigh 10,000 passengers during a monthlong survey so pilots can better know the weight and balance of their planes before takeoff.

But the numbers from the scales wonB次元官网网址檛 be flashing up for all to see. There will be no visible display anywhere, the airline promised, and the weigh-in data will remain anonymous even to airline staff.

B次元官网网址淲e weigh everything that goes on the aircraft B次元官网网址� from the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold,B次元官网网址� said Alastair James, a load control improvement specialist for the airline, in a statement. B次元官网网址淔or customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey.B次元官网网址�

Indeed the numbers are required by the nationB次元官网网址檚 industry watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority.

Under the authorityB次元官网网址檚 rules, airlines have various options to estimate passenger weight. One option is to periodically carry out surveys like Air New Zealand is doing to establish an average weight. Another option is to accept a standard weight set by the authority.

Currently, the authorityB次元官网网址檚 designated weight for people 13 and over is 86 kilograms (190 pounds), which includes carry-on luggage. The authority last changed the average passenger weight in 2004, increasing it from 77 kilograms (170 pounds).

Health statistics show New Zealanders are becoming heavier. The latest national health survey put the adult obesity rate at 34%, up from 31% a year earlier. Childhood obesity rates increased to 13%, up from 10% a year earlier.

Customers on Air New Zealand domestic flights were asked to weigh in a couple of years ago.

James said there was nothing for passengers to fear by stepping on the scales.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 simple, itB次元官网网址檚 voluntary, and by weighing in, youB次元官网网址檒l be helping us to fly you safely and efficiently, every time,B次元官网网址� he said.

The airline said the survey began this week and will run through July 2.

Nick Perry, The Associated Press

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