Passengers may soon be weighed by airlines to save fuel

A British start-up tech company is proposing that passengers be weighed at check-in.

A British tech start-up thinks it has a solution to cutting carbon emissions and saving airlines money.

Fuel Matrix Limited is proposing the idea of weighing customers with the use of “pressure pads” during the check-in process.

This will allow the carrier to then accurately calculate the fuel needed for the journey, limiting any excess waste.

Currently, airlines calculate the total weight of its passengers using an estimate based on gender – 88 kg for men, 70 kg for women and 35 kg for children.

Although Fuel Matrix predicts an average of only 1% fuel per service is wasted, the company says savings of almost $1 billion could be made worldwide each year if their new pressure pad technology is implemented.

Fuel Matrix’s chief operating officer Nick Brasier said: “We’re not suggesting people should stand on the scales, but airports could fit ‘pressure pads’ in the self-service bag drop area in front of each screen.

“After the bag has been checked in, the system can ask, ‘Are you standing on the pressure pad?’ If the passenger taps ‘Yes’, then the weight can be recorded and passed confidentially to the airline.”

Fuel Matrix is reportedly in discussions with several airlines and airports.