Finnair to fly its first biofuel flight soon

Nordic air carrier Finnair on Thursday said it plans to operate its first bio-fuel flight fromAmsterdam to Helsinki next week.

"We want to be a pioneer in sustainable development in air transport. Engine emissions account for the biggest environmental impact of flying, so investing in research intoalternative fuels is a natural way to try to reduce the load on the environment," Finnair VP (Sustainable Development) Kati Ihamaki said in a statement.

Biofuel refers to fuel made from renewable organic raw materials. The plants used in the production of biofuel absorb carbon dioxide, which is released back into the atmosphere when the biofuel combusts.

For its first biofuel flight, the carrier will use biofuel made from recycled vegetable oil (or used cooking oil) supplied by SkyNRG in a mixture that is 50 per cent biofuel and 50 per cent ordinary aviation fuel.

"Finnair and SkyNRG have agreed to jointly work on a structural supply chain, as both parties firmly believe that the adoption of green routes by airlines will help accelerate the development of sustainable and affordable jet fuels, which have the potential to reduce aviation emissions by up to 80 per cent in the long-term," it said.

For the moment, Finnair intends to operate at least three Amsterdam-Helsinki flights using a 50 per cent biofuel blend in both engines.