Finnair and Neste join forces to increase SAF use: new insights into how companies can participate

The service was developed to enable companies to participate in reducing aviation-related emissions that are accounted for as companies’ indirect (Scope 3) emissions via book and claim (B&C)*. Since the launch of the service, eleven corporate and freight customers have already participated, and interest continues to grow. 

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a practical solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aviation**. It can be used within existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure. While SAF is still in the early stages of adoption, supporting SAF use via B&C allows companies not only to address emissions of their own business travel or air freight* but also to contribute to the wider transition of aviation away from fossil fuels.

Working together to scale SAF

As SAF production and use remain limited – for example, SAF accounted for less than 1% of global jet fuel production and approximately 1.6% of Finnair’s total fuel use in 2025 –  collaboration across the value chain is essential. Increasing awareness of SAF and its potential plays a key role in supporting its scale-up. Finnair works in partnership with Neste to support this development.

“As the world’s leading producer of SAF, Neste is fully prepared to contribute to the energy transition in aviation working closely with partners such as Finnair. Our SAF combined with Finnair’s book & claim service can help corporates and logistics companies address their Scope 3 emissions from business travel and air freight to achieve science-based targets*”, says Joerg Huebeler, Head of Global Accounts, Renewable Fuels & Solutions, Neste. 

By creating demand, corporate customers play an important role in helping to scale SAF over time.

Companies are looking for practical and credible solutions

To better understand customer needs, in early 2026, Finnair and Neste, supported by PwC, explored how companies are currently approaching SAF as part of managing aviation-related emissions. The study combined an analysis of publicly available data with a survey and interviews, bringing together insights from 60 decision-makers and experts across sustainability, procurement, travel and logistics. 

The findings indicate that companies are increasingly looking for practical ways to address aviation-related Scope 3 emissions. While air travel can be reduced to some extent, flying often remains essential for international business, supply chains and time-sensitive logistics. In this context, SAF is increasingly seen by the respondents as a way to address emissions that cannot otherwise be avoided. 

Who is already onboard?

The organisations currently contributing to SAF purchases via Finnair for Business SAF service typically operate in sectors, such as technology, consulting, finance and industry. 

Another group using the service includes companies in logistics, freight and other air travel-intensive sectors. Among these organisations, most already have climate targets in place or under development, and 66% explicitly include aviation emissions within those targets. 

“We could say that the Finnair for Business SAF service has reached beyond this group, as we currently serve mostly small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector operators,” says Tarja Koski, who is responsible for the development of Finnair for Business SAF service at Finnair. 

Companies may start from different points, but the underlying logic is similar: Where aviation emissions are material, organisations are looking for solutions that are credible, transparent and compatible with evolving reporting requirements.

Learn more

To explore these insights in more detail, Finnair and Neste have published a joint white paper on how companies can approach SAF as part of their climate actions. Read and download the white paper on Finnair’s website to learn more.

*) Finnair for Business SAF Service: Finnair procures SAF for use within the aviation system and allocates the associated environmental attributes to the service’s customers through a certificate-based book-and-claim model. This allows companies to support lower-emission aviation in connection with their own business travel or air cargo activities.  

**) The SAF that Finnair purchases, such as Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, fulfills sustainability criteria, including greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements over its life cycle compared to using conventional jet fuel (in accordance with e.g. EU RED).