Finnair saves fuel, emissions with lighter air cargo containers

Finnair has selected Nordisk Aviation Products to provide its wide-body aircraft with lightweight unit load devices (ULDs), which will result in improved fuel economy and significant reductions in CO2 emissions. The move is part of Finnair’s “weight watchers” drive to improve fuel efficiency and help meet emissions reduction targets by minimising aircraft weight. The lighter the plane, the less fuel it needs to fly

The Nordisk UltraLite AKE containers, used for efficiently storing cargo and luggage, weigh 55 kilograms, about 25 kilograms lighter than Finnair’s current ULDs. The new containers will save approximately 800,000 kilograms in fuel and more than 2.5 million kilograms of CO2 annually. The super strong, lightweight container panels are made from a process using the same materials found in bulletproof vests and aircraft cockpit doors.

Finnair is expected to take delivery of the new ULDs by the end of this year.

“Our partnership with Nordisk helps us meet our fuel efficiency and environmental targets while also supporting smooth ground operations so important for transfer traffic,” says Ville Iho, Finnair’s COO.

“We have had the pleasure of supporting Finnair’s team for many years, and appreciate the opportunity to take part in their fuel savings and reduced emissions,” says Peter Grau, Nordisk’s Vice President of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Finnair is committed to reducing its per-seat CO2 emissions by 24 per cent from 2009 to 2017.