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.