Finnair, the Finnish Carrier, Implements Voluntary Passenger Weighing Procedure Prior to Boarding Flights
In a bid to gather accurate data for balancing aircraft and loading calculations, Finnair, Finland’s national carrier, has introduced a voluntary passenger weighing procedure at Helsinki’s main airport. This unique initiative aims to replace the use of average data by asking passengers to hop onto a scale with their hand luggage before boarding their flights.
Traditionally, airlines rely on average data to estimate the weight of passengers and their cabin bags. However, Finnair believes that obtaining individual figures will provide more precise information, especially considering the impact of seasonal variations. Päivyt Tallqvist, Finnair’s spokeswoman, explained that during the winter season, passengers tend to wear heavier clothing, which affects their overall weight. By collecting data for both winter and summer seasons, Finnair can ensure accurate calculations throughout the year.
It is important to note that passengers who participate in the survey will not face any penalties based on their weight. The collected numbers are kept confidential and away from prying eyes, ensuring the privacy of those involved. To encourage participation, Finnair is offering a small gift—a reflective baggage tag—to passengers who agree to take part in the survey.
Airlines have two options when it comes to obtaining weight data: using official data provided by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or conducting their own standard weight measurements. Finnair has chosen the latter option, but safety authorities require that such surveys be renewed every five years. The last time Finnair weighed passengers was in 2018.
This initiative by Finnair follows a similar move by New Zealand’s national airline, which also weighed passengers before boarding in June. By gathering weight figures from willing volunteers, Finnair aims to send the data to the Finnish transport and communications agency later this year. These figures will then be used for balancing aircraft and loading calculations from 2025 until 2030.
Satu Munnukka, head of ground processes at Finnair, expressed their hope to have a diverse range of volunteers, including both business and leisure travelers. This diversity will ensure the accuracy of the information collected and contribute to important balance calculations.
The implementation of this voluntary passenger weighing procedure by Finnair demonstrates the airline’s commitment to safety and accuracy in its operations. By gathering individual weight data, Finnair aims to enhance its overall efficiency and ensure optimal aircraft balance. Passengers can rest assured that their privacy is respected, and participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. So, next time you fly with Finnair, consider hopping onto that scale and contributing to a safer and more precise flying experience.
