• Finnair Airbus A350-941
    Finnair
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    AY/FIN
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Helsinki Airport
    Year Founded:
    1923
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    CEO:
    Topi Manner
    Country:
    Finland

Finnair will be using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to power its flights from Califonia. The oneworld Alliance member has signed a new agreement with Colorado-based renewable fuels producer Gevo, Inc to provide the fuel on the carrier's flights departing from Los Angeles.

The agreement will come into effect in 2027 and provide for the purchase of seven million gallons of SAF annually for the following five years. The deal is expected to be valued at $192 million over the five years and result in reduced emissions during production and consumption compared to traditional jet fuel.

Finnair and the larger oneworld SAF initiative

The move is part of a more extensive campaign by the oneworld Alliance to realize net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The oneworld Alliance has previously announced a plan to purchase up to 200 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually from Colorado-based Gevo. The SAF will go to fuel oneworld aircraft operating from California airports for five years.

The first airline from the alliance to make a specific announcement under the pact was Japan Airlines. This month, the carrier reached an agreement to bring in 5.3 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually, beginning in 2027. Fellow oneworld carriers Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, and Qatar Airways fly to the state and may utilize the SAF in the future.

Finnair
The agreement will provide 7 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel annually, beginning in 2027. Photo: Finnair

​​​​​​The race to carbon neutrality

The Finnish flag carrier uses several methods to meet its emission reduction objectives. In addition to using sustainable aviation fuels, the airline is also taking steps to reduce aircraft weight, develop more fuel-efficient flight methods, and increase the carbon offsetting of flights. This year, the airline rolled out a feature that allows customers to offset their journey and contribute to trusted climate projects.

Finnair is also actively exploring the other possibilities of introducing new technologies into its operations. The carrier announced it would be implementing the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to bring its CO2 emissions reduction targets in line with the UN Paris Climate Agreement. Eveliina Huurre, Finnair's SVP of Sustainability, reiterated the importance of SAF in achieving its sustainability goals:

“Finnair has ambitious emissions reduction targets: by the end of 2025, we intend to halve the level of net emissions from 2019 and achieve carbon neutrality latest by the end of 2045. SAF plays an important role for reaching these targets”

Finnair A350 Landing Gear Planes
The airline is offering customers a combination of SAF and climate projects to offset their journeys. Photo: Finnair

The airline has a relatively modern and fuel-efficient fleet, including the Airbus A350 and Airbus A330.

Sourcing the sustainable aviation fuel

The SAF comes from Gevo, a renewable fuels producer based in the state of Colorado. Gevo's sustainable aviation fuel is produced using residual inedible corn products, which are then processed to create ethanol and converted into sustainable aviation fuel.

The SAF will power Finnair's flights from Los Angeles International Airport. The airline is flying from Helsinki and Stockholm to the City of Angels this summer in its Airbus A350s. The flights are still years away from being powered by SAF, but those traveling this summer can still enjoy the recently updated business and premium economy seats.

Discover the leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers here.

Gevo will also supply oneworld airlines with SAF at other California airports, including San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. Dr. Patrick R. Gruber, Gevo's Chief Executive Officer, highlighted how the company seeks to innovate:

"Gevo was founded on the principle of building sustainability into every step of our process. But it is not static—it’s always improving.”

“We’re constantly incorporating new developments at every stage of our business system to reduce our carbon intensity. This is expected to make the renewable energy carried in our advanced renewable fuels even more impactful as they help to lower our customers’ carbon scores.”

A Finnair aircraft at Helsinki SAF
Photo: Neste

Finnair has previously partnered with Neste in Finland to increase SAF use and a separate purchase agreement with Aemetis for 17.5 million gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel to be delivered between 2025-2032.