Finland's national carrier, Finnair, has introduced a voluntary and anonymous passenger weighing survey at Helsinki Airport. The airline is inviting passengers to step onto scales with their hand luggage in an effort to gather accurate data for balancing aircraft and loading calculations. The survey, which began this week and will continue until May, aims to collect weight information for both the winter and summer seasons.
According to Finnair spokeswoman Päivyt Tallqvist, the survey is not intended to penalize passengers for their weight. Instead, it is aimed at obtaining more precise figures since current practices rely on average data. With a better understanding of passenger weights, the airline can optimize fuel consumption and improve flight performance.
The data collected during the survey will be kept discreet and away from prying eyes. So far, around 800 people have participated, and those who agree to take part receive a small gift in the form of a reflective baggage tag.
Airlines typically use either official data from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or conduct their own standard weight measurements. Finnair has chosen to gather its own data; however, safety authorities require that such surveys be renewed every five years. The last time Finnair weighed passengers was in 2018.
Interestingly, this is not the first time an airline has implemented passenger weighing. In June, Air New Zealand also conducted a similar survey before boarding.
The weight figures collected by Finnair will be forwarded to the Finnish transport and communications agency later this year. These figures will then be used for balancing aircraft and loading calculations for the period between 2025 and 2030. Satu Munnukka, head of ground processes at Finnair, expressed the hope of obtaining a good sample of volunteers, consisting of both business and leisure travelers, to ensure accurate information for essential balance calculations.
Overall, Finnair's initiative showcases an ongoing effort within the aviation industry to improve efficiency and performance. By collecting accurate passenger weight data, airlines can make informed decisions regarding fuel usage, aircraft load distribution, and ultimately enhance safety and operational practices.
