Passengers leaving from Helsinki can now get back items from hand baggage confiscated at security.
Airport operator Finavia is testing a new service that allows passengers to reclaim valuable items confiscated from their hand baggage.
If an item is confiscated and the passenger wants to keep it they have several options.
They can return to check-in and check-in their hand bag or take their baggage to their car or leave items with a person accompanying them and so on
The new digital return service is an optional, additional service.
The security officer gives the passenger a receipt of the confiscated item. Using the code provided on the receipt, the passenger can order item the delivery service at www.cotio.fi.
There is a fee and the cost depends on the nature of the item and the delivery method.
The online service is available in English, Finnish, Swedish and Russian.
Helsinki is testing the return service until the end of 2016. The pilot project is to test how the process performs, how useful the service is to passengers and whether it has sufficient demand.
Helsinki Airport security control confiscates approximately 400,000 prohibited items annually.
In Finland, passengers have long been able to retrieve items removed from their checked baggage.
Heikki Koski, Helsinki Airport Vice President:
“The most commonly confiscated hand baggage items include water bottles and hygiene product and cosmetics containers larger than 100 ml, which may not be taken into the cabin due to liquid-related restrictions. Sharp items and flammable substances are also classified as dangerous. Items confiscated from hand baggage also include valuables, such as rare lighters, expensive spirits or objects which have sentimental value.”
Kimmo Collander, CEO at Cotio Ltd:
“The idea of a new online service came about when I had to hand over my Swiss Army knife, which I had forgotten in my hand baggage, to a security officer. I would have paid to have it delivered to me, but that kind of service was not available.”
Passengers can use the Finavia online service to check which substances and items are permitted in the cargo hold or in hand baggage and which may not be taken on board at all.
N.B. Image credit: Helsinki Airport