Emissions from Europe’s aviation sector have almost fully returned to pre-COVID levels, with 187.6 million tonnes of CO₂ generated by 8.4 million flights departing European airports last year.
This is equivalent to 98% of 2019 levels, the study, by Transport & Environment (T&E), found, adding that in terms of intra-European flights, pre-pandemic emissions levels have already been surpassed, while extra-European flights are on a similar trajectory.
“Aviation emissions are spiralling out of control,” commented Krisztina Hencz, aviation policy manager at T&E. “To add insult to injury, the sector continues to dodge the true cost of its pollution, making a mockery of airlines’ pledges to build back greener after COVID. If Europe continues down this path, ‘green’ aviation will remain a figment of people’s imaginations.”
Top polluting airlines in 2024
According to T&E’s findings, the 10 most polluting airlines in Europe last year were:
| Ranking | Airline | CO₂ emissions 2024 (MtCO₂) | CO₂ emissions growth 2023 – 2024 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryanair | 16.2 | ↑ 9% |
| 2 | Deutsche Lufthansa AG | 10 | ↑ 6% |
| 3 | British Airways | 8.9 | ↑ 3% |
| 4 | Air France | 8.2 | ↓ 1% |
| 5 | easyJet | 7.7 | ↑ 6% |
| 6 | Emirates | 5.5 | ↑ 5% |
| 7 | KLM | 5.5 | ↑ 3% |
| 8 | Wizz Air | 4.6 | ↑ 1% |
| 9 | Iberia | 4 | ↑ 10% |
| 10 | United Airlines | 3.6 | ↑ 2% |
Carbon markets
As of 2024, as much as 70% of CO₂ emissions from aviation remained unpriced, with T&E noting that an extension of the European carbon markets could generate ‘significant’ revenues.
“Next year’s review of EU carbon markets is a chance to rectify a loophole in the current legislation and ensure airlines pay for the true cost of their pollution,” Hencz commented.
The group estimates that expanding the EU and UK ETS to cover all departing flights could have generated €7.5 billion in 2024 alone. Currently, airlines are using the CORSIA global offset scheme, which Hencz described as a “false economy”, given the low costs associated with pollution targets.
“An extended EU ETS would deliver the greatest positive impact for European economies, alongside having the largest environmental benefits,” she noted. Read more here.
