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From CBC Calgary..
Airline weight standards to be increased
Last Updated Jan 4 2005 10:48 AM MST
Calgary – Transport Canada wants the standard number used to estimate the weight of airline passengers to be increased, which could hurt profits at smaller carriers, analysts say.
The federal agency wants airlines to estimate the average weight of men at 206 pounds, up 13 pounds, and at 171 pounds for women, an increase of 25 pounds – based on the growing girth of Canadians.
Airlines use the numbers to determine how many people they can safely carry.
Underestimating that weight and overloading were factors in two recent crashes of a charter plane in Ontario and a commuter plane in the U.S.
Analyst Rick Erickson says smaller airlines may not be able to get as many passengers on board with the new rules, which would cut into their profits.
"It could cost a carrier a seat, not being able to take 19 passengers, but only take 18, and what we see with these tier 3 operators in the province is, you know, one passenger can be profitability on a flight," Erickson said. "So you can bet these folks are certainly going to be watching this very, very closely."
Aviation authorities in the United States and New Zealand have recently increased their weight standards as well, so that airlines have a more accurate assessment of how much weight the planes are carrying.
Airline weight standards to be increased
Last Updated Jan 4 2005 10:48 AM MST
Calgary – Transport Canada wants the standard number used to estimate the weight of airline passengers to be increased, which could hurt profits at smaller carriers, analysts say.
The federal agency wants airlines to estimate the average weight of men at 206 pounds, up 13 pounds, and at 171 pounds for women, an increase of 25 pounds – based on the growing girth of Canadians.
Airlines use the numbers to determine how many people they can safely carry.
Underestimating that weight and overloading were factors in two recent crashes of a charter plane in Ontario and a commuter plane in the U.S.
Analyst Rick Erickson says smaller airlines may not be able to get as many passengers on board with the new rules, which would cut into their profits.
"It could cost a carrier a seat, not being able to take 19 passengers, but only take 18, and what we see with these tier 3 operators in the province is, you know, one passenger can be profitability on a flight," Erickson said. "So you can bet these folks are certainly going to be watching this very, very closely."
Aviation authorities in the United States and New Zealand have recently increased their weight standards as well, so that airlines have a more accurate assessment of how much weight the planes are carrying.
His third, now 14 is taking the same course as his brothers by recording a solid 1.71m heigh.
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