Finland's national carrier Finnair said on Monday that passengers with A/H1N1 flu will not be allowed to board its aircraft.

Finnair imposed the measure as the new flu was classified as a common dangerous infectious disease by the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare.

According to Finnair, its staff will keep a look out for virus sufferers at check-in desks and when passengers are entering the plane. However, a final decision on a passenger's health will be made by a physician.

Carriers like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have introduced similar measures.

Petri Ruutu, a researcher at the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare, questioned the carriers' measures, pointing out that it was difficult to diagnose A/H1N1 flu with any reasonable degree of certainty without laboratory tests.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2009)