“We are actively promoting sustainable travel in Lapland, and the Sustainable Travel Finland labels granted to Rovaniemi and Kittilä Airports are proof of this. This year, four airports in Lapland will take a step forward from carbon neutrality towards net zero emissions,” says Jonna Pietilä, Finavia’s VP Lapland Airports.
In order to promote sustainable travel, Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland programme for tourism companies and destinations, as well as the Sustainable Travel Finland label achieved through the programme. The label was awarded to Kittilä Airport in the summer of 2022 and now to Rovaniemi Airport as well.
“Lapland’s carbon neutral airports are a gateway to Nordic experiences. Our goal is to enable seamless connections to the destinations loved by passengers. The Sustainable Travel Finland label signals sustainable activities to international travellers and our stakeholders. Next, we are also aiming to get the label for Ivalo Airport, which is known as the northernmost airport in Finland.”
Actions towards sustainable air traffic
The main objective of Finavia’s sustainability programme is to reduce the carbon emissions of airports to net zero by the end of 2025.
That level is first reached in Lapland at the airports of Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo and Kuusamo.
“We have moved to the use of renewable motor fuel oil in airport machinery. We have been using renewable diesel in our vehicles for three years already. We use fully renewable bioenergy in our own heating plants, and renewable fuel oil as a backup fuel. District heating delivered to airports is also based on biofuels. With these, we are proud to take the next step from carbon neutrality towards net zero.”
At net zero level, there will remain a couple of per cent points worth of carbon emissions. In order to neutralise them, Finavia is participating in projects that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Finavia’s projects meet the criteria of the international Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme.
“Enabling sustainable travel is a common goal for the entire Lapland region and tourism operators and, as an airport company, we want to do our part to promote it,” says Jonna Pietilä.
Further reading
Finavia’s sustainability programme: Towards sustainable air travel
