European airline emissions are almost back to where they were in 2019, and flights within Europe are already exceeding pre-pandemic levels, a new study finds.
Environmental group Transport & Environment (T&E) found that in 2024 the European aviation sector had almost fully bounced back to pre-Covid levels, reaching 96% of 2019 flight numbers and 98% of emissions.
Over 8.4 million flights departed from European airports, generating 187.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (Mt CO₂).
T&E’s study showed that 10 airlines were responsible for 40% of all European aviation emissions, with the top polluters being Ryanair (16 Mt CO₂), Lufthansa (10 Mt CO₂) and British Airways (9 Mt CO₂).
Krisztina Hencz, aviation policy manager at T&E, said: “Aviation emissions are spiralling out of control. To add insult to injury, the sector continues to dodge the true cost of its pollution, making a mockery of airlines’ pledges to build back greener after Covid.
“If Europe continues down this...