Trading Standards Check Out Check-Ins at EMA
| Published: 29th August 2008 17:35 |
As East Midlands Airport grows in popularity with the travelling public so too does the wear on airport baggage weighers.
With over 534,000 passengers reported to have used the airport in May, baggage weighers at this time of year take a hammering, with scales being loaded and unloaded many times an hour during the busiest periods.
For this reason officers from Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards Service have been out checking the scales. This ensures customers do not incur excess baggage charges because of scale inaccuracies and that there is no risk to passenger safety from scales that give a false low reading, thereby leading to the potential for aircraft overloading.
During a recent visit officers found 17 per cent of scales, nine out of 52, gave inaccurate readings. Only three were found to be so inaccurate that they needed to be withdrawn from use immediately and, of these, two scales were under reading and so weighing to the benefit of the consumer.
Councillor Ernie White said: "With excess baggage charges of up to £15 per kg consumers are mainly interested to know if they are getting over charged. However, the purpose of tests carried out by County Council staff is to establish that scales are weighing correctly and that both consumers and airlines can be confident that equipment is accurate.
"Having equipment checked by Trading Standards officers who are experts in legal metrology, ensures that weighing equipment is correctly calibrated and thus also ensures passenger safety and helps aircraft operators reduce fuel consumption.
"This shows the importance of training and maintaining a skilled workforce for this vital area of consumer and business protection. A great deal of behind the scenes work goes on without the public always being aware of checks being made on their behalf."
Passengers who have concerns about luggage weights at East Midlands Airport or any other holiday complaints should in the first instance contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the Consumer Direct web site at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk where they can report their concerns.
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