European airline emissions rose in 2024 and are almost back to pre-covid levels, according to a report from the environmental group Transport and Environment (T&E).
European flights generated 187.6 million tonnes of CO2 last year, with traffic hitting 96% of 2019 levels – and emissions reaching 98%.
During the pandemic, aviation emissions fell by one-third, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Ten airlines were responsible for 40% of all European aviation emissions in 2024, according to the T&E report, which uses data from the EU.
Ryanair topped the list, emitting 16 million tonnes of CO2, followed by Lufthansa with 10 million tonnes, and British Airways with 9 million.
The route that emitted the most in 2024 was London to New York, which was responsible for 1.4 million tonnes of CO2, T&E said.
Responding to the report, British Airways told Skift that its emission levels were actually lower in 2024 than in 2019.
“This is partly because our carbon intensity has reduced by almost 14% since 2019, a reduction that’s been driven by our BA Better World Sustainability Strategy. We are working hard towards our target of net zero by 2050, or sooner, and this plan includes a combination of aircraft and operational efficiencies, as well as investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), new low-carbon aircraft technology and high-quality, verified carbon removals,” a spokesperson said.
The T&E report stated however, that BA’s emissions rose by 3% in 2024 when compared to 2023.
This could be because the airline grew in 2024 with more flights, passengers, and seats.
Aviation analytics such as those from Official Aviation Guide (OAG) show the airline increased its capacity by over 4%.
Lufthansa and Ryanair did not respond to requests for comment.
Putting a Price on Aviation Carbon Emissions
The T&E study also raised concerns about putting a price on aviation emissions, often called carbon pricing.
The EU has an emissions trading system (ETS), which requires airlines operating in Europe to report and monitor their emissions. Airlines must stay within an emissions cap or pay for any excess.
However, T&E said intercontinental routes are not currently priced under the EU’s system.
“As a result, no airline had to pay for their emissions on the most polluting routes departing from Europe,” the report said.
An EU spokesperson told Skift that the ETS was originally designed to include all flights arriving in and departing from the region.
But the scope was narrowed to flights within Europe to support a global carbon market for aviation, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which is scheduled to become fully operational in 2027.
Airlines Signal Trouble Ahead for 2050 Net Zero Pledges
The data from T&E comes as airline CEOs step up pressure on Brussels to go easier on environmental rules.
European airlines collectively pledged to reach net zero by 2050 through a mix of new technologies, such as alternative fuels like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon trading schemes, and more efficient aircraft, engines and air traffic management.
The chief executives of four of the region’s largest airlines, including Ryanair and Lufthansa, have said the EU may need to delay SAF mandates due to a lack of supply.
Willie Walsh, the director of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently warned that some of the decarbonization strategies could prove too costly and might risk delaying the industry’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
“We’re going to have to reevaluate the commitment to net zero in 2050 because we’re just not getting the support that airlines require,” he told Reuters.
Skift’s in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift’s editorial team.
