Aviation emissions rise again: Experts demand immediate measures!

Aviation emissions rise again: Experts demand immediate measures!

Wien-Schwechat, Österreich - The aviation industry faces a critical situation after the pandemic. Despite the return to an almost normalized flight volume, greenhouse gas emissions in Austria have again reached almost at the level of VCO. In 2024, air traffic in Austria caused around 2.1 million tons of greenhouse gases, an increase compared to 1.8 million tons in 2004. These figures illustrate the need to reduce emissions in air traffic.

The expert Katharina Jaschinsky from the VCÖ calls for a quick and comprehensive reduction in emissions. The VCÖ also criticizes that airlines in Europe do not pay mineral oil tax on kerosene. This tax exemption cost the Austrian state estimated 570 million euros in 2022. Jaschinsky urges the EU and its Member States to expand and improve the cross -border railway offer, while at the same time they should increasingly replace business trips with digital solutions such as video conferences.

technological progress in aviation

in Germany is a positive trend. According to the press release of the Federal Association of German Air Traffic Management (BDL), the average kerosene consumption of German airlines has dropped to 3.44 liters per passenger and 100 kilometers. This has been a decline of 45 percent since 1990, which has reduced CO2 emissions per passenger to the same extent. BDL President Jens Bishop emphasizes the annual billion dollar investments in energy-efficient aircraft. With the renewal of old aircraft, emissions can be reduced by up to 30 percent.

The overall fleet of German airlines comprises 810 aircraft, and orders for 427 new machines up to 2034 are already in the works. These modern long -haul aircraft have a kerosene consumption of just 2.1 to 2.5 liters per passenger and 100 kilometers, depending on the seat configuration. Despite these progress, the persistent bottleneck situation for aircraft manufacturers delays fleet renewal and thus potential CO2 savings.

climate effect and strategies for reduction

The climate effect of air traffic is not limited to CO2 emissions. About two thirds of the climate effect are so-called "non-CO2 effects", which are influenced, among other things, by the combustion of kerosene and the climate-effective substances that arise there. These effects must be taken into account in the future forecasts on the climate effect of air traffic, as the Federal Environment Agency explains in its information writing.

In order to reduce the influence of air traffic on the climate, technical, organizational and regulatory measures are stimulated. This includes, for example, the use of e-kerosine, the improvement of the rail infrastructure and international collaborations in order to promote sustainable mobility. According to the findings of the VCÖ, the current situation requires faster implementation and promotion of misleading mobility alternative such as the train.