Airlines

Finnair modifies ten of its A350s to carry more customers and cargo

To enhance capacity on its Asian flights, Finnair has upgraded ten of its newest A350s to accommodate more passengers and cargo. As demand for flights to and from Asia has increased, Finnair has collaborated with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to raise the maximum take-off weight for a specifically chosen number of its aircraft.

Modifications made involve minor changes and updates to the aircraft’s software and placards and manuals in cooperation with Airbus. Finnair made the changes to aircraft which regularly serve Seoul and Tokyo, two of the longer intercontinental routes.

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Each route has been made longer following the closure of Russian airspace which has forced Finnair to replan its flights and detour around Russia, consuming more fuel than used previously. The normally lighter take-off weight had limited the number of customers and the amount of cargo each aircraft could carry, given the extended flight times.

But now after the modifications, each aircraft can carry more customers and cargo – and importantly more fuel to fly the longer flight times between Finland and South Korea and Japan – as well as increasing the economic efficiency of each flight. These modifications form part of Finnair’s strategy to restore profitability and increase payloads, in spite of airspace closures and increased flight times.

Finnair adds flights between Helsinki and Asia for summer 2023(Opens in a new browser tab)

The maximum take-off weight increase enables more customers and cargo to be carried, with the total capacity expected to be increased by up to eight tonnes, depending on the aircraft’s respective maximum take-off weight, route as well as flight times conditions.

The aircraft software compensates for the centre of gravity change and maintains the same handling characteristics, meaning that flying the aircraft does not change. The modifications were completed during the two first weeks in January, and operation with the new maximum takeoff weight began on 18 January.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.