European Business Aviation Finds Missed Opportunities in Study

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) notes the study on business aviation by Transport & Environment and points out the European sector has been working diligently and successfully towards decarbonisation through its own commitment on climate change since 2009.

The report, called “Private jets: can the super rich supercharge zero-emission aviation?” by Brussels based NGO Transport & Environment[1], goes into depth on the evolution of Business aviation emissions in the most recent years and suggests that there are few arguments to be made in defending the existence of the sector.

EBAA notes the publication of the report and welcomes the opportunity to point out much of the work that is currently being done by the sector towards a carbon-neutral future.

The Business aviation sector has been committed to reducing its impact on the environment since the publication of the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change, which has been used by the sector as its foundation for emission improvements since 2009.

The sector, through its variety of member associations, continuously educates and advocates for the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), which will have an impact on early decarbonisation while other technologies are developed.

The sector is a clear catalyst for innovation and an early adopter of new technologies that reduce aviation’s overall environmental impact, including the ramp-up and EASA certification of the use of battery power for short-range aircraft.

The study underestimates the use-case of business aviation, justified by subjective levels of appreciation. Furthermore, a peak in summer flight movements is used to disprove the use of unscheduled aviation for business purposes. EBAA considers this as a false alternative: an increase in summertime movements does not discount the many uses of business aviation throughout the year.

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“Since the conception of business aviation in Europe, the sector has grown to be a substantial contributor to the European economy and society,” said EBAA Secretary-General Athar Husain Khan. “Our track record shows we welcome a greater push towards a sustainable business aviation sector, but it’s important we do not misrepresent the true economic value, business benefit and societal impact the sector truly makes,” he continued.

The European Business aviation industry has ambitions that actively work towards the objectives of the European Green Deal. Environmental action and economic growth are not mutually exclusive; business aviation has made sustainability a top priority, whilst simultaneously meeting a clear demand to connect citizens, companies and communities. The sector remains committed towards decoupling business aviation growth from emissions output, to achieve collective climate objectives at pace.

[1] Transport & Environment (2021). Private jets: can the super rich supercharge zero-emission aviation?