The study has highlighted the alarming rise in carbon emissions from private aviation, with emissions increasing by 46% between 2019 and 2023. The research, conducted by Sweden’s Linnaeus University, found that frequent private jet users are responsible for emitting up to 500 times more carbon dioxide annually compared to the average commercial flight passenger.
The study, based on over 18.6 million private flights, reveals that in 2023, private jets produced an estimated 15.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, or approximately 3.6 tonnes per flight. This growth in emissions is driven by a rise in the number of private flights, which grew by 28.4% over the same period. Major international events, such as the COP28 summit and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, saw significant surges in private jet travel, contributing to substantial emissions spikes. Private aviation is notably more carbon-intensive than commercial flying. Each private jet passenger emits far more CO2 due to the smaller number of passengers per flight. Despite only 0.003% of the world’s population flying privately, the environmental impact is disproportionate. For instance, the highest-emitting individuals generated up to 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2023—500 times more than the average person.
This surge in private aviation emissions raises pressing concerns about sustainability. The aviation industry’s carbon footprint continues to grow, undermining global climate targets like those set in the Paris Agreement. As the demand for private flights increases, experts stress the urgent need for stronger regulations to curb emissions and make air travel more sustainable.
