Carbon emissions from aviation in Europe have climbed above pre-pandemic levels, raising fresh concerns over the airline industry’s ability to decarbonize while passenger demand continues to grow. New analysis by Transport & Environment shows that European aviation emitted 195 Mt of CO₂ from departing flights in 2025, around 2% higher than before Covid disrupted global travel.

The increase comes despite repeated industry promises to cut emissions, introduce more fuel-efficient aircraft, and scale up sustainable aviation solutions. The major driver appears to be the rapid growth of low-cost carriers, especially Ryanair, which carried just over 200 million passengers in 2025, compared with 140 million in 2019.

Ryanair’s Carbon Footprint Jumps 50%

Ryanair has become central to the debate. According to T&E, Ryanair emitted 16.6 Mt of CO₂ from flights departing Europe in 2025, roughly comparable to the annual emissions of a small European country such as Croatia. T&E also said Ryanair’s global emissions are now 50% higher than in 2019, the largest increase among the world’s top 20 most polluting airlines.

Ryanair argues that its emissions are rising because it is Europe’s fastest-growing airline, while its greenhouse gas emissions per passenger are falling due to newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft. The airline also claims that Europe’s emissions trading system unfairly targets intra-European flights while excluding long-haul flights, which are often more polluting.

Key Aviation Emissions Statistics

Why the ETS Debate Matters

• Carbon pricing system: The EU and UK emissions trading systems are designed to make airlines pay for part of the carbon pollution caused by their flights.
• Limited coverage: T&E says the current system does not capture most of aviation’s climate impact because it mainly covers flights operating within Europe.
• Long-haul gap: High-emission long-haul routes, such as London-New York, remain outside the main ETS pricing structure despite generating significant CO₂ emissions.
• Uneven airline costs: Ryanair reportedly pays around €50 per tonne of carbon, while Lufthansa pays around €20 per tonne, largely because different airline networks are treated differently under the current system.
• Call for wider coverage: T&E wants the carbon market expanded to cover all departing flights, not only intra-European routes.
• Revenue potential: Expanding the system could raise more public revenue and help fund cleaner aviation solutions.
• Climate solution funding: Additional revenue could support sustainable aviation fuel production and measures to reduce contrails, which can add to aviation’s climate impact.

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Industry Pushback and Fuel Price Pressure

Airlines have pushed back against stronger climate costs, especially during periods of fuel-price volatility and geopolitical pressure. T&E argues that climate measures are not the real reason ticket prices are rising. Its analysis says jet fuel price increases can add around €90 per passenger on long-haul flights, compared with about €3 from sustainable aviation fuel mandate compliance.

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Final Takeaway

The latest data shows that carbon emissions from aviation in Europe are moving in the wrong direction. More efficient planes have not been enough to offset rapid traffic growth, especially among low-cost airlines. The sector’s next major challenge is clear: aviation must reduce absolute emissions, not just emissions per passenger, if Europe’s decarbonization promises are to remain credible.

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