To celebrate the inauguration of its brand-new Airbus A330-300 on the route between New York (JFK) and Helsinki (Finland) earlier this month, Finnair hosted an in-depth panel discussion in New York about sustainable practices in the airline industry.

The animated panel discussion, “Clear for Take Off: Finnair’s Initiatives in Cleaner Air Travel,” was moderated by Christopher Elliott, renowned ombudsman with National Geographic Traveler magazine, and included the following expert panel members: Kati Ihamaki, Vice President of Sustainable Development, Finnair, Renee Martin-Nagle, Vice President and General Counsel, Airbus Americas, Inc., Paula DiPerna, Executive Vice President, Chicago Climate Exchange and President, CCX International, and Michael Miller, President, Miller Air Group.

Ihamaki, who recently attended the Fourth Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, noted: “IATA (International Air Transport Association) has set the goal of emission-free aviation by 2050. To reach this, it is imperative that participants in many different interest groups – airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, airports, oil companies, air traffic service provider organizations, official authorities and governments -  work together diligently to formulate a sustainability strategy. For any airline, a global strategy that incorporates technological advances, a favorable infrastructure, operational changes and market management is vital. In addition, together we need to find ways to enforce any measures that are decided upon in an equitable and fair manner.”

The new Airbus A330-300’s fuel consumption and emissions are 20% lower than current levels. In addition, direct routes, optimum flight levels and efficient fleet planning are some of Finnair’s ongoing ways (for the past two decades) to bring about emission reduction and environmental efficiency.

Finnair will use the new A330-300 aircraft on its daily non-stop JFK route throughout the summer, as well as for the three extra flights per week that will be added to the daily schedule between May 31 and September 13. In 2009, Finnair will take delivery of a total of five new Airbus A330 aircraft. The next A330s will arrive in April, May and June.

Currently, Finnair’s route network includes more than 50 international destinations, and 700 more through its cooperation with oneworld alliance partners.