This commentary unpacks what it says is the real data on private jets' impact on the environment. The author argues that those who attack the sector's C02 emissions are not aware of the full picture.

In articles about “decarbonisation,” human-caused global warming and the topic of private jets occasionally comes up. For example, Hollywood celebrities, who claim to be concerned about green causes, and who use private jets, are often scorned.

The private jet industry is important, and ultra-HNW clients, in particular, use jets regularly. (Examples of this news services's coverage on the topic can be seen here and here.)

Tim Barber, who represents Duncan Aviation for aircraft sales and acquisitions throughout EMEA, discusses the terrain. The editors are pleased to share these insights; the usual disclaimers apply. Feel free to jump into the debate! Email tom.burroughes@wealthbriefing.com

Hardly a week goes by without a story about environmental activists undertaking some attention-seeking stunt in their efforts to win over supporters to their cause. I fear that all they are doing is exacerbating the problem. Before I explain, let’s look at what they are trying to get rid of.

According to figures from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), business aviation supports more than a million jobs (374,000 in Europe), generates nearly $250 billion in economic activity worldwide, provides flights for humanitarian causes, and connects towns and communities without commercial airline support.

Business aviation allows for safe, efficient, and discrete travel for high-profile individuals, something that those individuals seek. It also connects communities with little or no airline service, increases employee productivity, provides life-saving medevac as well as humanitarian flights. 

Business aviation is successful because it is the only way for busy professionals to buy time, undertake more meetings, improve efficiency, and increase wealth for their companies and employees. Of course, in doing so, they create more jobs. 

Business aircraft can be accommodated by many more airports than the ones that commercial aircraft can reach. To illustrate this, business aviation connects 1,400 European airports, 900 of which are connected by business aviation only. So, users fly from airports that are closer to home, to airports that are closer to their final destination and, at a time of their choosing. In doing so, they gain time and are therefore able to be more productive, undertake more meetings, and generate more growth for their companies.

This leads to more income, more jobs and more taxes paid. Business aircraft also save companies thousands of dollars by allowing employees to make a trip that involves stops at several airports and locations, returning home the same day. The perception is that it’s only “fat cats” on board, but most of the time the passengers who fly on these trips are technicians, mid-level managers, and customers, not C-suite executives and owners.

It is worth noting that business aviation drives advancement in technology and operational efficiencies which benefit the aviation industry as a whole. Increasing the availability of sustainable aviation, fuel is also a top priority for civil aviation worldwide. The business aviation community is mindful of the need to mitigate its impact on the environment, which is why business aviation leaders pledged to achieve net-zero C02 emissions by 2050. They have adapted innovative, cutting-edge technologies such as winglets, glass cockpits, more aerodynamic structures, and lighter materials that all contribute to greater fuel efficiency. 

None of this is considered by the activists and little consideration is given to the consequences of their actions, whether it is the need to strip and repaint an aircraft that they have sprayed with orange paint or delayed flights at a commercial airport. Almost without exception, their impact on emissions is actually negative. The paint they use is made through an industrial process that creates CO2, the repairs use parts and materials that are produced industrially through a process that emits CO2 and so on.

At the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition at the end of May in Geneva, 100 extremists broke into the airport leading to a complete closure for around two hours. Flights were held over the skies above Geneva for an hour and ultimately rerouted to Zurich and Lyon. Some of these flights were ultimately rerouted back to Geneva, so again CO2 emissions were increased. Of course, damage was caused to the airport security fencing that needs to be repaired using materials industrially produced, again further exacerbating the CO2 emissions. Even more staggering is the fact that the extremists appeared to be proud that their ranks were swollen by like-minded people from 17 countries. Clearly, the extremists weren’t as worried about their own carbon footprints.

All too often their focus is on the fact that carbon emissions per head are significantly higher for those travelling on a commercial jet. However, you can’t escape the fact that global emissions from business jets amounts to just 0.04 per cent of the problem. That means there are 99.96 per cent of other more sizable problems. Would it make more sense to tackle some of the bigger issues? Food waste contributes between 6 per cent and 8 per cent, tobacco is responsible for broadly the same amount of pollution as the aviation sector as a whole at around 0.2 per cent, and so on. The list of “low hanging fruit” is enormous, but a greater focus is on business jets.

I was shocked to read that the carbon emissions from the forest fires in Canada during May 2023 accounted for more than 10 times the level of carbon created by business aviation in the past three years. So, in reality, those who truly care about the environment would perhaps be better off filling up a bucket of water to douse the wildfires. Of course, there will be those who say “yes, but you’re causing the wildfires” which I guess I can’t argue against other than to point out that we’re 0.04 per cent of the problem and are making innovative strides to reduce that even more. So, don’t forget the other 99.96 per cent.

I guess it is inevitable that some European nation will announce ill-conceived bans on business aviation – perhaps that’s what we need to demonstrate its real value. Inward investment would almost certainly reduce as business chiefs choose to invest in more accessible nations. So, there would be virtually no new jobs created and almost certainly a good number would migrate overseas. Unemployment would rise, tax revenues would decrease and, at that point, perhaps the government would wake up to the reality of the value of business aviation.

About Duncan Aviation
Duncan Aviation was founded as an aircraft brokerage organisation and has been working with jet and turboprop owners on the sale and acquisition of aviation assets for more than 65 years.