During the annual ski holidays, airports in Finland can be very busy at check-in and security inspection. Airport procedures can be accelerated, however, by performing check-in in advance. “We recommend that passengers use Finnair's internet or text message check-in services or the check-in kiosks at the airport. This can speed things up significantly,” says Finnair's Markku Remes, who is responsible for passenger experience development. ”When check-in is done in advance, baggage can be left at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at a Baggage Drop desk within minimum check-in times.” Check-in can be done on the internet the day before the flight for all Finnair and Finncomm Airlines scheduled flights departing from Finland, at the address www.finnair.fi. Internet check-in can be done also for the return flight. Finnair Plus members can also check-in by confirming an automatic text message for Finnair's international scheduled flights, when the departure is from Finland, Stockholm, Gothenburg or Copenhagen. The text message service can be activated online or by contacting the Finnair Plus service center. For Finnair and Finncomm Airlines domestic flights departing from Helsinki, check-in can be performed using the automatic kiosk machines in Helsinki-Vantaa's Terminal 1. For Finnair's scheduled international flights, there are check-in kiosks in Helsinki-Vantaa's Terminal 2. The check-in kiosk can also be used when you are taking with you skis, backpacks or other baggage to be carried in the hold. Check-in for a normal morning flight can usually be handled in advance at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport between 8 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. on the evening preceding the flight. On Friday 13.2 and Saturday 14.2 as well as Friday 20.2 and Saturday 21.2 more time I available, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., for checking in on the evening before the flight. The permitted baggage allowance for domestic flights is 20 kg. A ski bag, which can contain one pair of skis and poles or a snowboard as well as ski boots or snowboard boots, is carried free of charge, if it is included in the 20 kilos. A 20 euro fee is charged for a ski bag on domestic and European flights if the permitted 20 kilo baggage allowance is exceeded. The amount of baggage allowed on international scheduled flights is 20 kilos for economy class and 30 kilos for business class passengers. Groups of more than 10 people should notify Finnair about their ski equipment in advance. Passengers are requested to always provide their phone numbers at the time of reservation, so information about possible traffic disruption and baggage delays can be dispatched automatically. Passengers are also recommended to be at the airport in plenty of time, particularly during busy holiday times. Check-in must be made at the latest 45 minutes before a flight departure to a domestic ski centre when passengers bring winter sports equipment with them. Finnair Plc Communications 12.2.2009 Further information: Finnair Media Desk tel. +358 9 818 4020 or media.desk[a]finnair.com Finnair blogs: http://blogit.finnair.fi Finnair Group website: www.finnairgroup.com via.Helsinki: www.viahelsinki.com