ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Finnair, Finland’s leading airline, has announced plans to implement a passenger weighing procedure before takeoff, aimed at ensuring aircraft safety.
Finnair disclosed that passengers will be requested to voluntarily weigh themselves along with their carry-on baggage to maintain optimal weight limits for safe flights.
In a statement published on its website and reviewed by Punch on Friday, the airline emphasized the voluntary and anonymous nature of the weigh-ins, which will contribute to updating weight averages last assessed in 2018.
According to Finnair, accurately estimating passenger and cargo weight is crucial for maintaining aircraft balance and flight stability, aligning with aviation regulations mandating weight average updates every five years.
Satu Munnukka, Finnair Ground Processes Lead, clarified that the collected data would be utilized solely for essential calculations ensuring flight safety, with strict measures to protect passengers’ privacy.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Unveils Plans To Establish State-Owned Airline
“We record the total weight and background information of the customer and their carry-on baggage, but we do not ask for the name or booking number, for example.
“Only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so you can participate in the study with peace of mind.”
The airline plans to collect data from this month through May, with the findings to be reviewed by Finnish authorities before being integrated into aircraft balance calculations from the following year.
“In the previous measurements five years ago, a good number of volunteers wanted to participate in the weighing, and we hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and leisure travelers, also this time, so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance calculations,” Munnukka added.
Finnair’s move aligns with global trends, as several airlines, including Korean Air, Hawaiian Air, Uzbekistan Airways, and Air New Zealand, have previously implemented passenger weighing protocols to maintain flight safety standards.
Korean Air notably enforced passenger weighing regulations last year, complying with a new law mandating weight checks for travelers and their carry-on luggage on domestic flights every five years.
Additionally, the US Federal Aviation Administration has provided guidance on weight determination methods, empowering airlines to use various approaches to calculate aircraft weight and balance accurately.