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Airlines paying more for fuel because waistlines are expanding | News.com.au
PEOPLE weighing more than average should pay more for their airfares than slimmer passengers, a former Qantas executive says.
Tony Webber said airlines were paying more for fuel because the average weight of the population had increased, the Herald Sun reported.
The extra fuel needed cost about $472 a plane, he said, and additional weight of passengers affected airlines' profits.
"It's just a fact, and the thing is airlines consider these things when deciding how much fuel to put on the plane," said Mr Webber, former Qantas chief economist.
"I think it's discriminatory that people who watch their weight actually have to pay a higher airfare because of people who are overweight."
Mr Webber, who runs a consultancy company, suggested a system where people would pay a charge for every kilo they weighed over a set certain weight.
At the same time, lighter people would pay less if they were under the limit.
While no airline has flagged such a policy, Mr Webber said some must be considering it.
"I definitely think some low-cost carriers will contemplate breaking up their charges or get people to stand on the scales with their baggage," he said.
But such measures would also open check-in staff to abuse from heavier people.
It would also thwart airlines' attempts to streamline the check-in process and reduce long queues at terminals.
PEOPLE weighing more than average should pay more for their airfares than slimmer passengers, a former Qantas executive says.
Tony Webber said airlines were paying more for fuel because the average weight of the population had increased, the Herald Sun reported.
The extra fuel needed cost about $472 a plane, he said, and additional weight of passengers affected airlines' profits.
"It's just a fact, and the thing is airlines consider these things when deciding how much fuel to put on the plane," said Mr Webber, former Qantas chief economist.
"I think it's discriminatory that people who watch their weight actually have to pay a higher airfare because of people who are overweight."
Mr Webber, who runs a consultancy company, suggested a system where people would pay a charge for every kilo they weighed over a set certain weight.
At the same time, lighter people would pay less if they were under the limit.
While no airline has flagged such a policy, Mr Webber said some must be considering it.
"I definitely think some low-cost carriers will contemplate breaking up their charges or get people to stand on the scales with their baggage," he said.
But such measures would also open check-in staff to abuse from heavier people.
It would also thwart airlines' attempts to streamline the check-in process and reduce long queues at terminals.
