Counting on … 175

29th October 2025

Private jets -2

For climate activists there are three clear reasons for wishing to ban private jets.

1. On a per passenger basis they are the most polluting mode of transport
2. Private jets represent a most unequal form of transport. They are the domain of a small elite – whilst 80% of the world’s population have never flown. (There are about 22,000 to 23,000 private jets worldwide). 
3. They are a wasteful and unsustainable mode of transport, carrying a small number of passengers, flying short distances, making them fuel-inefficient. (1) 

As a status item, with a growing wealthy elite in not just Europe and North America but globally, there is the potential risk that private jet use and ownership will rise, increasing their impact on the environment. 

“In recent years, the private aviation market has experienced unprecedented growth. Once seen as a luxury reserved for billionaires and celebrities, private jets are now becoming a practical choice for entrepreneurs, corporations, and even affluent families. The reasons behind this surge are multifaceted—ranging from convenience and privacy to safety and efficiency” !! (2) 

In the UK (second most frequent private jet flyer after the USA)  flights in private jets have increased fourfold between 2020 and 2022 – from 19,000 to 90,000 flights a year. 

You can sign Greenpeace’s petition calling for a ban on private jets here: 

https://action.greenpeace.org.uk/e/854853/etsLeadGenPE20230331-utm-term-/5txbn3/2827246452/h/LtGGnZlkzDS-QRLiFqU2jVEm1XIDnrJezh3SY2Tgi7U

1. https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/69392/3-reasons-why-we-need-to-ban-private-jets/
2. https://www.entrepreneurshiplife.com/soaring-demand-for-private-jets/
3. https://simpleflying.com/uk-private-aviation-statistics/