Helsinki and Rajiv Gandhi International Airports achieve Level 5 of Airport Carbon Accreditation, strengthening their role as pioneers in carbon management

June 23, 2025

Helsinki Airport in Finland and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in India have both reached Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, the highest level of airport carbon management performance. This achievement confirms that both airports have reduced more than 90% of their Scope 1 and 2 emissions and committed to reaching net zero for Scope 3 emissions by 2050.

Operated by FINAVIA, Helsinki Airport becomes the fifth airport in the group to be certified at Level 5, joining Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo, and Rovaniemi. All FINAVIA airports are powered by certified wind energy, while Helsinki Airport also generates power through an on-site solar plant. Ground vehicles are fuelled with zero-emission diesel made from waste and residue materials.

Helsinki Airport’s efforts extend beyond its own operations. Working with airlines and air navigation services, the airport has optimised taxiing distances and airspace use to reduce aircraft fuel burn. It also supports innovation in clean aviation, co-financing the development and testing of Finland’s first electric aircraft.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, is now the third airport in India to achieve Level 5. Its climate efforts target all three scopes of emissions. The airport runs entirely on renewable energy, generated by a 10 MWp solar power plant and supplemented through green power procurement. It has purchased electric vehicles, installed charging stations, and introduced low- Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants.

The airport has collaborated with airlines and ground handlers to reduce emissions from aircraft on the ground by promoting single-engine taxiing, using electric Ground Support Equipment, and connecting aircraft to pre-conditioned air units. A GSE tunnel has been brought into operation, and the airport is preparing for future use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Additional actions include green building development, energy-efficient systems, LED upgrades, and a greenbelt that captures around 700 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

These two Level 5 accreditations demonstrate that concrete climate action is advancing across the global airport community—from the Nordic region to South Asia.