Major events cause sharp increases in private jet travel

Major events like the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France, the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar have been linked to significant peaks in emissions from of private aviation.

Analysis of flight patterns showed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup attracted the most private flights among the events studied, with 1,846 private flights linked to the event, which produced 14,700 tonnes of carbon. COP 28, a conference focused on climate action, attracted 291 private flights producing 3,800 tonnes of carbon.

Researchers also discovered a seasonal trend peaking in summer and concentrated on weekends in places like Ibiza; Spain; and Nice, France, indicating private aviation used for leisure travel.

The number of private flights is increasing

Overall emissions from private planes have increased in recent years, with a 46% increase in carbon emissions between 2019 and 2023, according to the study. Some of this growth could be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Stefan Goesslinggeographer at Linnaeus University in Sweden and author of the study.

Since commercial aviation was not available at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, those with private aviation likely used it as an alternative.