Commission rules out new private jet measures despite member state push

Belgium and Ireland expressed support for tighter environmental regulations on private jets on Thursday (1 June) at a gathering of EU transport ministers, joining a push led by Austria, France, and the Netherlands to tackle business aviation emissions. 

But despite the pressure from member states, EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean confirmed she has “no intention” to propose new measures aimed at private jets before the end of the Commission’s mandate.

Asked at a press conference if the Commission will put forward new measures on business aviation, the transport Commissioner responded: “The short answer is ‘no’. We do not intend to impose any [further] regulations.”

Vălean said her preference is to tackle aviation as a whole, rather than focusing on private jets specifically.

Transport ministers from the EU’s 27 member states met in Luxembourg on Thursday to discuss a range of issues, including the environmental impact of private jet travel.

In the lead up to the Transport Council, Austria, France, and the Netherlands jointly penned a letter to EU climate chief Frans Timmermans and the Transport Commissioner arguing that tackling private jet emissions is a matter of climate justice. 

“This form of air travel has an excessive per capita carbon footprint and is therefore rightfully subject to criticism,” ministers from the three nations wrote. “In view of this, recent calls for action such as establishing bans on private jet travel are understandable and need to be addressed appropriately.”

In a statement, the coalition said the “enormously high CO2 emissions per capita” from flying privately is unjust, as it means that a small number of people “cause great harm to the community”.

“Private jet flights are a hobby of the super-rich. But we can’t all pay for it,” said Austrian Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler. “We need stricter rules here. Anyone who damages our climate must also make a fair contribution.”

A report by the green NGO Transport & Environment found that private jets are 5 to 14 times more polluting than commercial planes on a per passenger basis. And according to research published by CE Delft in March, the number of private flights in Europe is rising, hitting 572,806 in 2022 – an increase of 64%.

Speaking in Luxembourg Thursday, French transport minister Clement Beaune called for “a more sober approach” to taxation on the use of private jets at the European level.

“This is an area where we can symbolically show how we can work together to combat emissions,” he said.

These views were echoed by Belgian mobility minister Georges Gilkinet, who said it was necessary for “everybody to pay the right price for their means of transport”.

“Our citizens would not be able to understand if a minority using private jets would be able to use these planes without any limitations, with a disproportionate impact on the climate,” he said.

“We have to show that climate efforts are shared out fairly, especially one year on from the explosion in energy prices,” he added.

While sounding a more cautious tone, Ireland’s Jack Chambers added that “all reasonable options” should be explored to ensure that private jets “make their full contribution to our climate goals”.

“It’s crucial that all sectors of aviation contribute to emissions reduction efforts, including private jets,” he said.

cover photo:A report by the green NGO Transport & Environment found that private jets are 5 to 14 times more polluting than commercial planes on a per passenger basis. [Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com]