QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

Q: How does renewing the fleet decrease carbon dioxide emissions?
A: The age of an aircraft tells us a lot about its consumption and emissions. Each new generation of jet aircraft use up to a quarter less fuel than the previous generation. The amount of carbon dioxide emissions decrease in the same proportion. Finnair aircraft today consume a fourth less fuel than in 1999. Finnair's European and domestic fleet has an average age of under three years.

Finnair has been systematically renewing its fleet for years. The airline made the decision to install eco-efficient CFM56 engines on its Airbus A320 fleet ten years ago already. The new Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft also represent the newest 21st century technology and are very eco-efficient on those routes which only require a 76 or 100 seat aircraft.

The next phase of fleet renewal is already in the plans when Finnair replaces its Boeing MD-11 fleet with new Airbus A330 aircraft by the end of March 2010. The new Airbus A330 releases 20 per cent less emissions than the MD-11. For the A340 this figure is 10 per cent less. The greatest leap will be taken in 2014 when the first new technology Airbus A350XWB joins the fleet. Its emissions are up to a third smaller than those of current wide-bodied aircraft.

Q: In what other ways does Finnair cut its emissions?
A: Finnair is improving the eco-efficiency of its fleet in many ways. Winglets, which cut fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by up to five per cent, have been installed on the wings of the Finnair Leisure Traffic Boeing 757 fleet. Also the seats of the European Airbus fleet have been replaced with a lighter model. Even though the number of seats on the aircraft has increased, the weight empty has dropped by 800 kg. The renewal saves 10 per cent fuel per seat.

Finnair also aims to operate its flights at optimal cruising speed and altitude so the aircraft consumes as little fuel as possible. Washing the aircraft also affects fuel consumption. The engines suck in dirt off the surface of the aircraft which decreases their efficiency. Engines of clean aircraft use up to one per cent less fuel than those of dirty aircraft.

However, not all emissions cutting is in Finnair's hands. Direct routes play an important role. Finnair already offers its customers the shortest connections between Europe and Asia, but especially in European airspace flight efficiency could be improved. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that up to 18% of fuel is wasted on inefficient infrastructure and operating methods. The same amount of unnecessary CO2 emissions are procduced. The Single European Sky, where the EU airspace is brought under one controlling body would straighten flight routes and decrease emissions in EU airspace.

Q: Is Finnair offering its customers the possibility to voluntarily offset their carbon emissions?
A: Finnair believes that it is the airlines' responsibility to carry out their environmental duties. Finnair does this by constantly renewing its fleet and offering its customers the most direct routes between Europe and Asia, via Helsinki. All airlines operating between Europe and Asia fly over Finland since the shortest great circle route between the continents passes over Finnair's home land. Should you fly from Berlin via Frankfurt to Beijing, you have been flying for over an hour in the wrong direction. Fuel is wasted and unnecessary emissions created. By choosing a direct flight, customers can save up to 30% in the emissions their trip produces. If Finnair were to still operate MD-80s, as many airlines do, it would be using 120,000 kg more fuel per day.

Studies also show that very few customers have shown great interest in voluntarily offsetting their emissions, thus the most concrete environmental act is to choose an airline which offers direct flights and operates a young fleet.

Q: What is Finnair's stand on emissions trading?
A: In Finnair's opinion, the principal means of decreasing emissions should be investment in new technology, infrastructure and development of operative methods. For its part, Finnair is concentrating on these. A good example is our ongoing fleet renewal.

The EU Commission proposed in December 2006 that air travel be made a part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Aviation must do its utmost to decrease the negative effects it has on the environment, but at the same time it is important to remember that aviation industry is an integral part of the economic infrastructure of each country, including the EU. Air transport plays an essential role in the competitiveness of each country and helps ensure regional equality. The development of air transport and that of the economy, including employment, go hand in hand.

Due to the global nature of air travel, equality between airlines can only be ensured in a global emissions trading scheme. Finnair considers it essential that a solution for emissions trading be sought on a global level in the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO. Finnair feels that in emissions trading aviation should be treated the same way as other areas of industry and that it should be part of a general emissions trading scheme. The system must not distort competition between airlines.

The share of EU air traffic in global carbon dioxide emissions is 0.5 per cent (Eurostat). On a global scale, air transport's share of global CO2 emissions

Q: What is Finnair doing to cut noise?
A: The national civil aviation administrations are responsible for controlling noise levels at airports. The goal is that the smallest possible number of people are subjected to noise and, in Finland, a central means of reaching this goal is to correctly zone the surrounding areas. Noise certification requirements for aircraft are set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO.

Finnair carries its responsibility for noise by renewing its fleet and optimising its takeoffs and approaches from a noise perspective. The Finnair Boeing 757 fleet, Airbus A319 and A320 as well as the Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft already fulfil the stricter noise level requirements of the future. Finnair's first Airbus A340, which joined the fleet in June 2006 is comparable in its takeoff noise level to the Boeing MD-11. In landing its is clearly quiter.

Q: Why are oxides of nitrogen emissions an issue in air traffic?
A: Oxides of nitrogen weaken local air quality at airports. Oxides of nitrogen are not only produced by air traffic but also by ground equipment used at airports.

Finnair's Airbus fleet modern CFM56 engines use high technology which aims, in addition to improving energy efficiency, to decrease oxides of nitrogen emissions. The same type of engines have been selected for Finnair's new Airbus A340 long-haul aircraft.

Q: How does Finnair recycle waste?
A: At Finnair waste is produced in the aircraft cabins, in Finnair Catering, in the Finnair Technical Division and naturally also in the offices.

In the cabin, aluminium, glass and some plastics are sorted. Finnair also collects energy waste on domestic flights. Finnair Catering sorts all its waste, including bio waste. Finnair Catering implements the ISO 14001 environmental management system.

In Finnair Technical Services a large amount of problem waste is produced in aircraft maintenance. The collection and disposal of this waste is done responsibly by the Technical Services storage organisation. These activities are also controlled by strict environmental authority permits. Finnair Technical Division also has an environmental permit for its activities from the Uusimaa environmental administration.

In Finnair's offices and canteens waste is also sorted. In the offices recyclable paper, energy waste and mixed waste are sorted, in the canteens packaging and bio waste also.

Q: In what other ways does Finnair save energy?
A: In Finnair the most visible way of saving energy, in this case fuel, is renewing the fleet. But Finnair Group also has other activities where energy-saving methods are used.

Thermal energy consumption at Finnair facilities is greatly affected by the heating of large aircraft hangars in the winter. Finnair Technical Division heat consumption accounts for about 70% of the total usage. Opening the doors of the hangars makes a great impact on thermal energy consumption. A significant amount of energy can be saved if several aircraft can be moved in to the hangar at one time. Outside temperature also greatly influences consumption figures.

Finnair's ground equipment at airports run on, for the most part, completely sulphur-free heating oil. Heating oil causes fewer carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen emissions than equipment using regular fuel.

In addition to electricity, Finnair Catering also consumes also water in the washing of catering equipment from aircraft, for instance. Working methods at Finnair Catering's dish washing department have been rationalised in past years. Catering equipment from aircraft is now washed with one big dish washing machine instead of the previous two. The use of only one machine has significantly reduced water, electricity and detergent consumption. Finnair Catering is moving to new, modern, specially constructed facilities in early 2008. The new facilities pay special attention to waste, electricity and water management.

Q: Does Finnair support any nature conservation organisations?
A: Finnair supports the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation water conservation project. The aim of the project is to prevent the further eutrophication of the Baltic Sea by decreasing the load on Finnish coastal and internal waters and rivers. The Baltic Sea area is one of Finnair's most important market areas. Through cooperation we are involved in a project that millions of people will benefit from. It is important for Finnair that our environment does well and that we can all benefit from the clean, beautiful nature of the Baltic Sea area.