Sustainability has fallen behind, emissions are back – the climate impact of European aviation is rising again

Promises instead of rebalancing

According to the report, more than 8.4 million flights departed from European airports in 2024, and these emitted a total of 187.6 million tons of carbon dioxide. This represents a 5% increase in flight numbers and 8% in emissions compared to the previous year, and is 96-98% of the 2019 level. Emissions from flights within Europe have already exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Aviation has not become greener, and in fact the sector has reverted to its previous operating model faster than European regulations have been able to respond.

System-wide exemptions

The sector continues to benefit from an exemption from fuel tax, while playing a disproportionate role in global emissions. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) currently only covers emissions from flights within the EEA and to the UK and Switzerland, covering barely a third of the sector’s total emissions.

In 2024, airlines paid around €3 billion into the system, while they were exempt from around €7.5 billion in emissions – partly due to flights outside Europe and partly due to free allowances.