EU Aviation Emissions Surpass 2019 Levels Due to Low-Cost Carrier Growth

Recent data indicates that carbon emissions from the European aviation sector have exceeded pre-pandemic levels. This increase is largely attributed to the rapid growth of low-cost carriers, with Ryanair seeing a significant jump in passenger volume and total carbon footprint since 2019. While airlines point to the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft to mitigate the impact, critics argue that current emissions trading systems are insufficient. Specifically, the lack of coverage for long-haul flights remains a major loophole in the EU and UK's strategy to decarbonize the skies.