Finnair launches easy-to-use self-service bag drop machines at Helsinki Airport

Finnair customers will soon have the option of dropping their checked baggage at a self-service bag drop unit immediately after check-in. Together with Finavia, Finnair will install 10 self-service bag drop units for Finnair customers in the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Helsinki Airport by the end of May. Self-service bag drop units will also be introduced at Oulu and Turku airports later this year.

Increased automation is an international trend, also in the airline industry, and the self-service bag drop units offer passengers flexibility with respect to check-in times, while also balancing out peak periods and improving the efficiency terminal capacity utilisation.

“Customers are accustomed to handling many stages of their journey independently. Self-service check-in, for instance, is already used by over 80% of Finnair’s customers. Dropping off checked baggage at a self-service bag drop unit reduces the customer’s queueing time at the airport and speeds up the start of the journey,” says Johanna Bagge, Director, Helsinki Airport Customer Service.

The self-service bag drop units allow customers to tag and drop their checked baggage without assistance, provided that they have checked in online or at a self-service check-in kiosk. The baggage tag is printed at the self-service check-in kiosk. The bag is then placed on the belt at the self-service bag drop unit, with the passenger scanning the bag tag using a hand held scanner. The bag is then ready to go.

“Those of our customers who require assistance will still receive personal service from our baggage drop counters and departure hall personnel. Normal bag drop counters, where tags are printed for customers, will remain in use alongside the self-service bag drop units,” adds Johanna Bagge.

Further information:
Finnair Media Desk, 358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com  
Finnair Gallery: http://gallery.finnair.com  
Finnair on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Twitter
Finnair blogs: http://blogs.finnair.com
Finnair on Facebook: www.facebook.com/finnair
Finnair Group website: www.finnairgroup.com

About Finnair

Finnair is specialised in fast connections between Europe and Asia via Helsinki. The airline carries more than eight million passengers annually and connects 13 cities in Asia with more than 60 destinations in Europe. The airline, a pioneer in sustainable flying, operates a young, modern fleet and is the first airline listed in the Leadership Index of the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project. The only Nordic carrier with a 4-star Skytrax ranking, Finnair has also won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past four years running. Finnair is a member of oneworld, the alliance of the world's leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience to frequent international travellers.