With the private jet industry in Europe hearing the rumblings of possible government regulation, including increased taxation or even outright bans, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) argues that such measures could have a deleterious effect on aviation’s growing sustainability efforts.
In a newly-released statement, the organization noted that business aviation has always been in the vanguard of adopting innovative, more efficient technologies. Further, it has been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its aircraft and operations since 2009.
The sector goes through a continuous cycle of airframe and engine improvements, driven by research and development. Over the past 15 years, the level of emissions produced by business aircraft has decreased on average by 36 percent, EBAA stated. In terms of financial impact, business aviation in Europe—through operations, support, and manufacturing—employs approximately 400,000 people and contributes nearly €90 billion to the EU economy annually.
With their long heritage, European aviation businesses are advancing sustainability goals through emerging technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel, electric and hydrogen propulsion, and power-to-liquid—vital research that EBAA said could be hampered if the sector was burdened.
Lastly, EBAA urged the EU and its member states to introduce and accept the Single European Sky (SES) platform, which has been stalled for two decades. Such a measure would be expected to reduce all aviation emissions in Europe by 10 percent.