Europe Aviation Emissions Rise 2% Above 2019 Levels as Passenger Numbers Recover

Emissions from flying in Europe passed pre-pandemic levels in 2025, according to analysis by thinktank Transport & Environment. The entire European aviation sector emitted 195Mt of CO₂ in departing flights in 2025, a 2% increase on 2019 levels. 6 megatonnes of CO₂.

Ryanair carried just over 200 million passengers in 2025, up from 140 million in 2019. The low-cost carrier’s expansion helped drive the sector-wide rise even as airlines introduced more fuel-efficient planes. 4Mt of CO₂ in 2025.

The EU and UK emissions trading system only includes flights entirely within Europe. That leaves long-haul routes, which typically burn more fuel, outside the scheme’s scope. Ryanair pays an average of €50 a tonne of carbon under the ETS, while Lufthansa pays about €20 a tonne.

1bn for EU states. 1bn raised for EU states by 2030. Such an expansion would bring in revenue that could support sustainable aviation fuel production and measures to avoid contrails.

Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled from pre-Iran war levels. Those increases add €90 a passenger on long-haul flights. The sustainable aviation fuels mandate adds just €3 per passenger. “Ticket prices are rising because of Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels, not because of the climate measures intended to steer the sector away from them,” Giacomo Miele said.

A Ryanair spokesperson said its greenhouse gas emissions were rising as it was Europe’s fastest-growing airline. “All of this growth takes place at lower fares but on new fuel-efficient aircraft, so our GHG per passenger are falling,” the spokesperson added.