Writer

Amy Wilder

Private jets emitted an estimated 19.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2023, according to a newly released study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The report marks the first comprehensive global emissions inventory for private aviation, which accounts for nearly 4% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from civil aviation.
Researchers used a combination of global ADS-B flight tracking, airport geolocation, and engine emissions databases to estimate aircraft activity and assign emissions by airport and country. The study, “<a href="https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ID-349-%E2%80%93-Private-jets_report_final.pdf">Air and greenhouse gas pollution from private jets, 2023</a>,” found that private jet emissions increased by 25% over the past decade. It also compared private jet emissions to all flights departing London Heathrow Airport, finding that global jet emissions trumped those of the international hub for the year.
“Private jets are a surprisingly large source of air and climate pollution,” said Daniel Sitompul, aviation fellow at the ICCT. “A typical private jet emits as many greenhouse gases each year as 177 passenger cars or nine heavy-duty highway trucks.” For context, there are approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://hedgescompany.com/blog/2021/06/how-many-cars-are-there-in-the-world/">1.64 billion private passenger vehicles operating globally</a>, with about 17% of those in the U.S.&nbsp;
Private aviation activity is heavily concentrated in the U.S. In 2023, 65% of all private jet flights departed from U.S. airports, contributing 55% of global private jet GHGs. Florida and Texas accounted for more private jet flights than the entire EU. Europe accounted for 12% of emissions, with France responsible for one quarter of that total.
Short-haul missions dominate the private aviation sector, the report noted. The average private jet flight lasted less than two hours and covered a distance of fewer than 500 nm. The authors suggest that these routes are well suited to more efficient turboprop aircraft or potential modal shifts to rail in certain regions.
The study also ranked airports based on their emissions and fuel use. Eighteen of the 20 highest-emitting private airports were located in the U.S., including Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, which ranked third globally for private jet GHGs.&nbsp;
“As wealth inequality explodes globally, policymakers have begun asking why private jet taxes are so low,” said ICCT senior director of research Dan Rutherford. “Given the slow pace of technological progress, it’s reasonable to charge ultrawealthy travelers more for their pollution.”
To support emissions reductions, the report recommends taxing jet-A for private jets. A global levy of $1.59 per gallon could raise as much as $3 billion annually to fund aviation decarbonization efforts. Tax proposals have been introduced in the U.S. Congress, and European regulators are weighing options to address emissions in the business aviation sector.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

ICCT Study Finds Private Jet Emissions Outpaced Heathrow in 2023

Private aviation accounts for about 4% of civil aviation emissions

A new ICCT report finds private jets emitted 19.5M tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions globally in 2023—more than all flights departing Heathrow Airport.

Study: Private Jets Outpaced Heathrow Emissions in 2023

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

GHG emissions are down by 23% over 2019, and employee engagement exceeded target

Bombardier Marks Progress on Sustainability Goals

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Reducing contrails may outweigh small CO2 increases, according to researchers at UC Irvine

New Tool Helps Aviation Cut Climate Impact

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Simply reducing aircraft fuel burn is not necessarily the greenest strategy

Researchers Tackle Tradeoffs in Aviation’s Climate Impact

NBAA’s Bolen questioned why readers weren’t given information about environmental advances in business aviation

NBAA Calls Climate Report on Bizjets Flawed, Incomplete

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Assure provides life cycle SAF use tracking

4Air’s SAF Registry Hits Major Milestone

Students can win up to $250K for research that advances sustainable aviation fuel development

ICAO and UAE Offer $1M to Students Researching SAF

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

More In Environment

Bombardier Marks Progress on Sustainability Goals

GHG emissions are down by 23% over 2019, and employee engagement exceeded target

New Tool Helps Aviation Cut Climate Impact

Reducing contrails may outweigh small CO2 increases, according to researchers at UC Irvine

Researchers Tackle Tradeoffs in Aviation’s Climate Impact

Simply reducing aircraft fuel burn is not necessarily the greenest strategy

NBAA Calls Climate Report on Bizjets Flawed, Incomplete

NBAA’s Bolen questioned why readers weren’t given information about environmental advances in business aviation

4Air’s SAF Registry Hits Major Milestone

Assure provides life cycle SAF use tracking

ICAO and UAE Offer $1M to Students Researching SAF

Students can win up to $250K for research that advances sustainable aviation fuel development

Million Air Brings First Continual SAF Supplies to N.Y.

Company’s Albany location marked the milestone

ZeroAvia, Loganair Explore Hydrogen Engines

MOU targets zero-emission flights

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN