AS the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, Finnair’s green initiatives blend pragmatic innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach that addresses both waste reduction and decarbonisation.
Anna-Maria Kirchner, Finnair’s Head of Global Cargo Sales and Sustainability, explained, “For starters, one of our main focuses is reducing packaging waste, which is often overlooked but has a real impact on the overall sustainability of air cargo. For example, we’re testing reusable pallets that weigh less than traditional wooden ones. By switching to those, we reduce weight, which translates directly to lower fuel consumption and in turn, lower emissions.”
Besides their packaging practices, the airline is also transitioning to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). These fuels are usually derived from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and municipal waste, and can cut lifecycle emissions by up to 80 percent, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
While European carriers have been early adopters, the US has also begun scaling its SAF ambitions in the past few years. The Biden administration’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, for example, aims to produce 3 billion gallons of SAF annually by the year 2030.
Finnair has also actively participated in partnerships focused on sustainability in cargo logistics. These alliances promote knowledge sharing, joint innovation projects, and coordinated efforts to help reduce carbon footprints throughout supply chains.
“Collaboration is key,” Kirchner said. “We can’t simply tackle these challenges by ourselves. When we work together, sharing data and innovations, we help accelerate progress.”
Airfreight is responsible for about three percent of worldwide CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). That said, emissions are growing rapidly due to e-commerce expansion and ever-increasing global trade. As a result, there’s increasing scrutiny about making global freight operations greener.
At the conference, Kirchner emphasised the airline’s holistic approach. “Sustainability is not a single fix; rather, it’s the sum of applying many small improvements across our processes,” she said. “From lighter packaging materials to cleaner fuels and better collaboration, it’s all part of the big picture.”
A path to sustainable aviation?
While Finnair and other European carriers have taken massive strides in regard to sustainability, adoption around the rest of the world is a little more fluid. The United States, for instance, has shown varying degrees of commitment and hesitation when it comes to sustainable aviation practices.
On one hand, as noted earlier, the US Department of Energy has launched the SAF Grand Challenge, and in light of that initiative, private companies have ramped up production. For example, Infinium is developing a Texas facility backed by Amazon and Breakthrough Energy to create electrofuels using renewable power and waste carbon dioxide.
However, SAF in the US still costs roughly two to three times more than conventional jet fuel, thus limiting more widespread use. Binding SAF blending mandates like the EU’s ReFuelEU initiative—which requires two percent SAF by 2025 and 70 percent by 2050—make for a broader and faster push to adopt newer fuel sources. Instead, airlines in the US rely on incentives such as the Blender’s Tax Credit, which was introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Solar-powered
In addition to its in-flight efforts, Finnair also addresses its emissions when it comes to ground operations. The airline has installed solar panels at its Helsinki cargo terminal, a move that powers parts of its facility with clean energy and helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels for ground support equipment.
This initiative reflects a broader push within the industry to reduce emissions both in the skies and on the ground. These panels are expected to cut tons of CO2 annually by offsetting grid electricity consumption.
A sustainable transition
By combining smarter packaging, transitioning to SAF, and investing in renewable energy for ground operations, a future where airfreight supports global commerce efficiently and sustainably seems to be underway. Innovation, supportive policies, and cooperation will be key to keeping the airfreight industry on its current sustainable path.
