Europe's low-cost airlines the worst polluters

23-04-24

The airline industry in Europe is facing a significant dilemma: as low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet continue to expand their market, their environmental impacts have intensified dramatically. According to the latest Transport & Environment (T&E) report, Ryanair topped the list of the most polluting airlines for the third year in a row, reaching a new all-time high with 15 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted in 2023, up 23% from 2019. Lufthansa and British Airways also remained at elevated emissions levels, albeit below their pre-pandemic figures.

This worrying increase reflects a broader trend among budget airlines, whose emissions in 2023 significantly exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with Wizz Air recording a 40% increase. This growth in emissions coincides with an increase in the market share of these airlines from operating one in five flights in Europe in 2019 to one in four in 2023.

Jo Dardenne, Director of Aviation at T&E, has expressed concern about the low-cost business model these airlines are pursuing, noting that it promotes "unsustainable growth." The pace of expansion of these airlines, Dardenne argues, is proceeding at a speed that developments in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) cannot compensate for. Moreover, despite the dominance of low-cost airlines in the European market, traditional airlines and long-haul flights still account for 42.2% of the sector's emissions.

Dardenne's criticism of the sector's pricing policy is blunt: "Flying is too cheap". He highlights the paradox that passengers may end up paying more for a coffee at the airport than some airlines pay for their carbon emissions. This comment underscores the need for a rethink in environmental pricing and charging policies to more adequately reflect the true costs of aviation's environmental impact.

The current situation poses a critical challenge for European and global regulators: how to balance the affordability of air travel, which has democratized travel for many, with the urgent need to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. The solution may require a multi-faceted approach that includes implementing stricter emissions regulations, encouraging investment in sustainable fuel technologies, and a global overhaul of pricing and subsidy practices in the airline industry.

This balance is essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for the long-term viability of the airline industry, as the impacts of climate change could, paradoxically, threaten the infrastructure and safety of the aviation industry itself.