Finavia’s Lapland airports achieve Level 5 of Airport Carbon Accreditation, leading the way in global carbon management

Four regional airports operated by Finavia—Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo, and Rovaniemi—have reached Level 5, the highest level of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. This outstanding achievement places them among only fourteen airports globally to attain this level of carbon management maturity.

Finavia’s strategic focus on reducing carbon emissions is matched by their extensive carbon management initiatives, fully aligned with the Paris Agreement targets. Since 2018, all electricity used at these airports has been emission-free, and airport vehicles have been powered by diesel made from waste and residues. In 2023, Finavia boosted its decarbonisation efforts by switching to renewable motor fuel oil for heavy airport equipment, including fire engines. Additionally, the airports have adopted district heating based on biofuels, ensuring that terminal heating is powered by renewable energy. Ground handling operations have also been transformed, and are now carried out with electric vehicles.

Finavia also seeks to reduce carbon emissions throughout the air traffic ecosystem by collaborating closely with airlines and the Finnish air navigation service provider. Their aim is to work together to continue the reduction of emissions related to take off and landing, as well as in-flight, ensuring a comprehensive approach to decarbonisation.

Mikko Viinikainen, Finavia’s Senior Manager for Sustainability and Environment, proudly stated, “By exclusively transitioning to the use of renewable energy, we have reduced our carbon emissions by 98% at Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo, and Rovaniemi airports over the past ten years. Our operations at all 20 of Finavia’s airports have been carbon neutral since 2019. Now, we have achieved net-zero levels at four airports, which we are proud of. Finavia is a pioneer in sustainable development in the air transport industry, and we have consistently reduced the carbon emissions of our operations. Our goal is for our operations at all airports to reach net-zero levels by the end of 2025.”

With an eye to the future, Finavia is actively developing advanced airport infrastructure as part of projects focused on alternative propulsion solutions, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), hydrogen, and electricity. In 2023, they joined the EU-funded BSR HyAirport project, making it the first operator in Europe to pilot hydrogen-powered heavy airport equipment at Helsinki Airport. The project aims to develop the hydrogen supply chain from production to the fuelling of airport equipment and aircraft.

Reaching Level 5 places these four airports among the most innovative and pioneering airports globally. This milestone showcases the importance – and achievability – of setting ambitious decarbonisation goals and pursuing them with determination, ensuring that the aviation industry can significantly reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.