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

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 05. 16. 10:50

Although European airlines promised to put their operations on a greener path after the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the reality now shows otherwise. According to a recent report by Transport & Environment, air transport has almost completely returned to pre-pandemic emission levels in 2024, with flights and carbon dioxide emissions only a few percent below 2019 levels, Portfolio points out.

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.