Samoan Airline Defends Pay-As-You-Weigh Fares

A Samoan airline has defended its new policy of charging passengers by their weight, saying it raises awareness of obesity and public health issues.

Samoa Air, which flies mainly between the country's two main islands Upolu and Savaii, charges passengers by the kilogram.

The cost varies from 1 tala (29p) a kilogram for the traveller and their baggage on the airline's shortest route to 3.8 tala (£1.10) on travel from Samoa to American Samoa.

The airline, which also flies to Tonga, says the system is helping people to understand the consequences of being overweight.

Chief executive Chris Langton told ABC Radio: "This is the fairest way of travelling. There are no extra fees in terms of excess baggage or anything - it is just a kilo is a kilo.

"When you get into the Pacific standard weight is substantially higher (than in south-east Asia) but it can be quite diverse.

"People are generally becoming much more weight conscious. It has raised the awareness of weight."

He added that families could be surprised by the policy, introduced in January, which could see them paying less because children are charged on weight, rather than seats.

The company's website says: "You travel happy, knowing full well that you are only paying for exactly what you weigh ... nothing more."

"With Samoa Air, you are the master of how much (or little!) you air ticket will cost."

Under the new scheme, flying from Asau on Savaii to Faleolo on Upolu would cost a 10-stone person £24.13 plus baggage costs for their 47-mile journey.

Flying from Asau to American Samoa would cost a 10-stone person £69.85 plus luggage.

Pacific islands feature high in national obesity tables.

A World Health Organisation study in 2008 found 55.5% of people over the age of 20 in Samoa were classed as obese, compared to 24.9% in the UK.