A new Greenpeace analysis has revealed a “sharp rise” in private jet flights to European destinations between winter and summer 2023.
The research, commissioned by Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe and conducted by T3 Transportation Think Tank, excluded flights used for special medical, offshore, or police missions from its data. The filtered sample shows that over 117,000 flights to 45 destinations were recorded throughout 2023, after record high private jet usage already in 2022. Notably, private jet arrivals in Europe “surged by 250%” in July, compared to January, as well as increasing in Alpine regions in the winter season, “seasonal spikes” which, the eco organisation says, indicate the majority of trips are for leisure purposes, not business.
Where are private jets flying?
A whopping 93.2% of the private jet flights took place within Europe, with nearly 12% covering short distances of up to 250 km and nearly a third described as “ultra-short-haul” journeys that Greenpeace says could have easily been made using more sustainable options like trains or ferries.
Destinations that Greenpeace describes as “heavily promoted by luxury tour operators and private jet companies” dominate the list for private jet arrivals, with Nice, Geneva and Palma de Mallorca emerging as Europe’s top three hotspots for private jet traffic. Ibiza and Malaga round out the top five.
Accordingly, in terms of countries, the biggest share of the flights occurred in France (23.5%) and Spain (23%), with Italy (15.1%) and Switzerland (12.7%) just behind.
Climate impact of private flights
The private flights overall resulted in 520,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions for the year, Greenpeace says. Calling for an immediate ban on private leisure flights, the environmental campaign group points out that “a single private jet flight to these destinations emits almost as much carbon as the average European citizen’s annual energy-related emissions (4.46 vs. 5.37 tonnes of CO2), underscoring how the ultra-wealthy disproportionately contribute to the climate crisis.”
Urging governments also to “consider a wealth tax for billionaires in Europe to fund public goods such as affordable housing and public transport,” Clara Thompson, transport campaigner for Greenpeace Germany said: “While ordinary people face the devastating impacts of the climate crisis – extreme floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires – the ultra-wealthy continue to hop aboard their private jets under the guise of business travel, but often for leisure trips to Europe’s most luxurious holiday spots. These private flights account for a disproportionate share of aviation emissions, accelerating the climate emergency. This extravagant luxury not only worsens environmental harm but also deepens inequality, leaving the majority to suffer the consequences of climate disasters and daily hardships.”
