Global aviation carbon intensity improved by 20 percent between 2018 and 2025, but total emissions have still risen above pre pandemic levels. Data shows that while planes are more efficient per kilometer, the increase in total flight activity is erasing those operational gains. Industry analysis suggests that efficiency alone cannot meet Net Zero 2050 targets. Future reductions will require a faster rollout of sustainable aviation fuels, fleet modernization, and carbon removal technologies to decouple industry growth from emissions.
