Finnair has partnered with CN Logistics International Holdings, a Hong Kong-based logistics company under DP World, to promote the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in air cargo. As part of the partnership, CN Logistics has helped fund a supply of SAF with Finnair to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to its cargo shipments, reports The Star.
Gabriela Hiitola, Senior Vice President at Finnair Cargo, said the collaboration is part of the airline’s broader efforts to increase SAF use. “This move supports our goal to reduce emissions in air freight,” she said. “We invite more of our customers to join us in making air cargo more sustainable.”
Tim Ngan, Executive Director and CEO of CN Logistics, said the initiative fits into the company’s long-term goal to operate more sustainably. “This is a key step in our efforts to reach carbon neutrality. Working with Finnair helps us take action against the impact of air cargo on the environment,” he said.
The partnership supports Finnair’s sustainability plan, which aims to cut carbon emissions per tonne of cargo carried by 34.5% by 2033, compared to 2023 levels. The airline’s target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative and is part of its larger aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
To reach these goals, Finnair is increasing its use of SAF, improving flight operations, and using more fuel-efficient aircraft. The airline operates most of its long-distance routes using Airbus A350s, which are 25% more fuel efficient than older aircraft due to better engines, lighter materials, and advanced wing designs.
Sustainability efforts are also part of the airline’s cargo facilities. The COOL Nordic Cargo Hub at Helsinki Airport, which opened in 2018, was built for long-term energy savings. The building, certified for its environmental design, gets about 37% of its energy from nearly 3,000 solar panels. It also includes systems for automated storage, guided truck movement, and waste management.
Finnair is also committed to reducing waste and using resources more efficiently. It is working toward ensuring that all waste at its Helsinki hub is repurposed—for energy, heat, biogas, manure, or materials—with nothing going to landfill. The airline is cutting down on single-use plastics and improving recycling of packaging, cardboard, and cargo-related materials.
For CN Logistics, this partnership is part of its larger “CNL Green Solution” program. The company says the collaboration shows how logistics firms and airlines can work together to take responsibility for climate impacts and create cleaner solutions for international trade.
