STOCKHOLM: Airlines should charge obese passengers more, a Norwegian economist has suggested, arguing that “pay as you weigh” pricing would bring health, financial and environmental dividends. Bharat Bhatta, an associate professor at Sogn og Fjordane University College, said that airlines should follow other transport sectors and charge by space and weight.
“To the degree that passengers lose weight and therefore reduce fares, the savings that result are net benefits to the passengers,” he said. Bhatta puts together three models for what he called “pay as you weigh airline pricing.” The first would charge passengers according to how much they and their baggage weighed.
A second model would use a fixed base rate, with an extra charge for heavier passengers to cover the extra costs. Under this option, every passenger would have a different fare. Bhatta’s preferred option was the third.
Obese passengers should pay extra, says airline economist
