A report by Transport & Environment (T&E), published on April 28, 2025, said European airline emissions in 2024 have almost reached 2019's pre-pandemic levels. With air traffic expected to grow this year, it signals the industry on course to exceeding pre-pandemic emissions.
In 2024, the European aviation sector reached 96% of 2019 flight numbers and 98% of emissions. In addition, the report claimed that the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS) is “currently failing to address the true cost” of emissions. The report added that there are signs of “climate backtracking” from airlines.
The report said around 70% of CO2 emissions from aviation in 2024 remain unpriced.
“If Europe continues down this path, ‘green’ aviation will remain a figment of people's imagination,” said T&E aviation policy manager Krisztina Hencz. “Next year's review of EU carbon markets is a chance to rectify a loophole in the current legislation and ensure airlines pay for the true cost of their pollution.”
The report attached the CORSIA offsetting scheme, claiming it did not support the development of green technologies and said an extended EU ETS system would “deliver the greatest positive impact for European economies”.