Finnair, the Finnish carrier offering budget flights between the UK and Finland, has announced a controversial new measure to enhance flight safety.
Starting with departures from Helsinki, the airline will weigh passengers along with their carry-on luggage before take-off.
The decision aims to ensure accurate weight calculations for the aircraft, interior, and passengers, essential for safe transit. According to spokeswoman Kaisa Tikkanen, over 500 volunteers have already participated in the weigh-ins, which the airline emphasizes are conducted with privacy in mind.
Finnair clarified that the data collected will not be linked to personal information, reassuring passengers about their privacy. Satu Munnukka, head of ground processes at Finnair, emphasized that only customer service agents handling the measurements will have access to total weights.
While some social media users have expressed concern about potential embarrassment for overweight passengers, Finnair stressed the importance of safety and accuracy in their operations. Päivyt Tallqvist, communications director at Finnair, explained that the initiative aims to ensure precise calculations for every flight.
Weigh-ins will occur periodically, with volunteers providing data on age, gender, and class of travel. Finnair’s move follows similar actions by other airlines, such as Korean Air and easyJet, aimed at enhancing safety and fuel efficiency.
Passengers should be aware that these measures are part of the airline’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards. Finnair encourages understanding among passengers regarding the importance of accurate weight calculations for flight performance and safety.