Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Air Traffic Nearly Back to Pre-Corona Levels
The figures from VCÖ (Verkehrsclub Österreich) are based on an in-house analysis based on kerosene consumption in Austria. Ten years ago, in 2014, air traffic in Austria caused 2.1 million tons of greenhouse gases, and twenty years ago, in 2004, around 1.8 million tons. According to the German Aerospace Center (DLR), about 3.5 percent of global climate warming is attributed to air traffic. However, only one-third of the climate impact is due to CO2 emissions, while the other two-thirds are attributed to non-CO2 effects.
VCÖ Calls for More E-Kerosene and Expansion of Rail Traffic
"The climate crisis is rapidly worsening. Therefore, it is essential that the emissions from air traffic are reduced quickly and significantly," emphasized VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky. Companies could contribute by replacing some business flights with video conferences and shifting another part to rail or bus where possible. According to the Environment Agency, a flight on short and medium distances causes about 27 times as much CO2 per passenger kilometer as traveling by train, the VCÖ emphasized.
According to the mobility organization, the use of e-kerosene also needs to be accelerated. Burning kerosene causes not only greenhouse gases but also pollutants. Especially around major airports, air traffic increases the harmful fine dust pollution, as shown by a study published last year by the Dutch institute CE Delft. A survey by the Environment Agency for Vienna-Schwechat found in 2024, according to VCÖ, that "the measuring stations in the airport area are exposed to higher emissions of ultrafine particles than the metropolitan area." The VCÖ further stated: "The concentrations of ultrafine particles show a clear correlation with the number of flight movements per half hour."
VCÖ Wants End of Kerosene Tax Exemption
"Despite the significant climate harm, airlines do not pay mineral oil tax for aviation fuel kerosene," criticized the mobility organization. If the mineral oil tax for Eurosuper is taken as a basis, then last year the tax benefit for air traffic in Austria amounted to around 570 million euros, the VCÖ pointed out. The beneficiaries are frequent flyers. According to the microcensus of Statistics Austria from 2023, only seven percent of the population traveled by plane more than three times.
For this reason, the VCÖ called for the end of the tax exemption for kerosene for airlines at the EU level. Additionally, the EU and its member states are urged to expand and improve cross-border rail services. "Europe needs more rail. The infrastructure must be expanded and modernized, the number of international connections significantly increased, and booking and planning international rail travel must become easier," emphasized VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky.
(APA/Red.)
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