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Finland's airline Finnair has started weighing passengers on flights from its capital city. The weigh-ins are voluntary and are completely anonymous. The new initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights are stuck to. Airplanes should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft, the fuel, checked baggage, cargo, onboard catering, water, and passengers. Airlines never know the exact weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage. They rely on estimates provided by aviation authorities.
Volunteer passengers are stepping on weighing scales at Helsinki Airport's departure gates. Finnair officials were concerned about a customer backlash because weight is a personal issue. However, in the first week, more than 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers…so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance calculations." An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "peace of mind" that their weight would not be linked to their personal information.
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