European airline Finnair is weighing passengers and their carry-on luggage to collect important data.
While this may sound scary, it can help airlines gather the information they need to enhance safety and other operational considerations.
And yes, this also happens in various other parts of the world.
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aircraft weight
Heavy and unbalanced aircraft have an impact on the aviation industry, as everything carried on an aircraft increases its overall weight, which ultimately increases fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
By having more accurate data on aircraft weight, airlines can better manage and improve their operations.
Passenger weight measurement
Everything on board the aircraft is weighed to ensure safety, from fuel, checked baggage and cargo to meals.
Finnair has also started weighing passengers and their carry-on luggage.
Most airlines use average data for these weight calculations, but Finnair strives to collect its own accurate data.
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Weight measurement
Airlines may use official data from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or may create their own standard weight measurements.
Finnair has chosen to conduct its own investigation. Passengers taking part in Finnair's research flights will not be penalized because their weights are not made public, the airline said.
Finnair research
About 800 passengers will take part in the survey, and those who consent will also receive a small gift, Finnair spokeswoman Paivit Talqvist said.
The figures will be sent to Finland's Transport and Communications Agency later this year.
These will be used to balance aircraft and flight load calculations for the period 2025-2030.
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Data collection
Safety officials require this study to be completed every five years. The last time Finnair weighed passengers was in 2018.
The survey will continue until May, allowing Finnair to collect data on flights operated in both summer and winter.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Finnair spokesperson Peyvit Thorqvist said: “We will need data for both winter and summer. In winter, people typically wear heavier clothing. , which affects weight.”
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