‘Bullet-proof vest’ ULDs at Finnair
16 / 10 / 2012
SELF-PROCLAIMED “weight watcher” Finnair has selected Nordisk Aviation Products to provide its wide-body aircraft with lightweight ULDs.
Finnair bosses say the deal will result in improved fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
The move is part of Finnair’s drive to improve fuel efficiency and help meet emission reduction targets by minimising weight.
The Nordisk UltraLite AKE containers, used for efficiently storing cargo and luggage, weigh 55 kilograms, about 25 kilograms lighter than Finnair’s current ULDs.
Efficiency experts believe 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.
“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 chief operating officer.
“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. The firm is expected to take delivery of the new ULDs by the end of this year.
