Finnair has joined the Aviation Global Deal (AGD) Group, which proposes a global emissions trading deal. The goal of the AGD Group is to reduce emissions in aviation by means of a global sectoral agreement. "In order to actually achieve emissions reductions in aviation, an emissions trading deal must be global," says Finnair's VP Sustainable Development Kati Ihamäki. "A deal covering only certain airlines or certain geographical areas distorts competition and potentially encourages less eco-efficient operating procedures such as intermediate landings in non-optimal locations outside the emissions trading area. Aviation Global Deal is the right step towards fewer emissions in the future." The basic mechanism proposed by the AGD Group is a global sectoral agreement covering carbon dioxide emissions from all international air transport providers. Net emissions reductions will be achieved by setting a global emissions reduction target for the sector and allocating allowances to airlines, which they can top up through the purchase of carbon credits. The AGD Group's members are the international NGO The Climate Group, Air France/KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, airport operator BAA and most recently Finnair and Qatar Airways. The AGD Group's proposal is intended to support the work of IATA's Joint Task Force, GIACC and ICAO, the international bodies tasked by the UN to find an appropriate solution to tackling aviation emissions. Finnair Plc Communications 5.5.2009 For more information, please contact Finnair Media Desk, media.desk(a)finnair.com tel. +358 9 818 4020 or Kati Ihamäki tel. +358 (0)9 818 4101. Finnair's blogs: http://blogs.finnair.com Photobank: www.finnair.com/gallery Finnair Group website: www.finnairgroup.com via.Helsinki: www.viahelsinki.com