Finnair and other European airlines face a climate penalty from Russia's 2022 airspace closure. Flights from Europe to Northeast Asia now take roughly a third longer than before, burning 13.8% more fuel per flight compared to carriers still able to use Russian routes, according to an analysis by Skailark.
Russia barred EU and U.K. airlines after they banned Russian carriers following the invasion of Ukraine. Airlines from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan largely avoid Russian airspace due to safety concerns. These restrictions eliminated many of the most efficient routes between Europe and Northeast Asia.
The extra fuel burn generates 1.53 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This represents 12% of total emissions on those flights. Finnair, among the most affected carriers, says it remains committed to its climate goals despite the longer routing requirements.