Tubby tax plan for obese air travellers

Tubby tax plan for obese air travellers

Last updated at 00:27am on 12th November 2007 Comments (26)

Obese airline passengers should be charged a 'tubby tax', health experts proposed.

Under the plans, they would be made to pay for each kilo they weigh above a set limit, in the same way as excess baggage has to be paid for.

Dr John Tickell, an expert in nutrition and weight control who heads the Australian team making the proposal, said: "Airlines are buying fuel and if you are carrying a heavy weight on a plane it is you who should be paying for it.

Under new plans, obsese airline passengers could be charged a tubby tax

"But instead, the rest of the public is paying for it and it has to be stopped."

Expanding waistlines mean airlines are being forced to revise their projected passenger loads to calculate extra fuel needs.

Dr Tickell's plan is to be studied by the Australian government. He has not set exact weight limits.

Dr Tim Gill, head of Australia's Obesity Society, said it was unfair to single out those with weight problems. Instead, airlines should install a few extralarge economy seats for obese passengers.