easyJet denies whip-round to pay passengers to leave the overweight aircraft

easyJet's cabin crew accused of arranging collection to compensate four volunteers

Weight issues have always been a headache for air carriers. Some airlines have removed catering trolleys in order to get the green light for their aircraft to take off.

Others have offloaded baggage, but passengers whose luggage is removed are obviously unhappy with the procedure and claim that they receive their luggages with a major delay.

On 18th January 2013 Liverpool Airport's departure lounge was full of tension: easyJet's flight to Geneva was forced to ground, because it was too heavily loaded. The airline had to explain passengers that some of them would have to stay behind.

How this could happen?

Every aircraft type has a strict rule about the total weight it can carry. The total weight also depends on several factors, just like the length of the runway, the distance to be flown and the air temperature.
Every airlines worldwide have the option to weigh each passenger and their luggage. But British air carriers instead use an estimate of an average passenger's weight.

According to the rules issued by Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities an average male weighs 88kg, a female 70kg and children of any age weigh 35kg. They also assume that the genders are in balance.

But this time genders were not in balance at all. There were 135 men and only 19 women onboard, furthermore much more hold luggage than usual, says a spokeswoman for easyJet. (Note: most of the low cost air carriers have a maximum weight for the cabin luggage, e.g. Ryanair's is only 10kg, but easyJet does not limit this weight.)

The spokeswoman said, that in such case volunteers are needed, who agree to stay behind and go with a later flight, plus get some compensation from the airline (easyJet offers £100).

Liverpool Echo, quoting a passenger, states that the above amount did not seem to attract any volunteers this time, therefore passengers organised an impromptu whip-round. Finally 4 passengers left and the aircraft could take off. easyJet deinies the whip-round.

© transfers2airports.com
January 18, 2013