Story ID: 
NBAA Challenges Study Highlighting Bizav Emissions
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: NBAA called a study suggesting business aviation emissions will need to be regulated 'misleading' 
Word Count: 385
NBAA is refuting a report published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment claiming a dramatic scale-up in private aircraft emissions in business jets that ultimately will require regulating given the contribution to the environment.
According to the report, private aircraft emissions increased by 46% between 2019 and 2023. Further, the report cited forecasts of another 8,500 business deliveries anticipated through 2033 and said private aircraft “thus likely become increasingly important as a source of emissions in relative (share of global emissions) and absolute terms (sector’s total emissions).” Noting limitations on the use of sustainable aviation fuel, it added that “a majority of private aircraft owners do not plan to use it in the near future,” and as such, “it will be necessary to regulate the sector.”
NBAA, however, maintained that the report selectively used data, made assertions on faulty analysis, and ignored facts. Noting that the report focuses only on hours flown during a selective window focused during the global Covid time when business aviation saw a surge as airlines reduced their activity, NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said, “Predictably, the report’s narrow look at flight activity misses the fact that in the years following the pandemic, business aviation activity has largely returned to pre-pandemic norms.”
Further, NBAA asserted that the report assumes that flights in the summer are primarily for non-business reasons, ignoring the business purposes for them. It also ignores business aviation’s progress on carbon reduction, the organization further noted.
“The business aviation sector has slashed emissions by 40% in just four decades, with breakthroughs including lightweight composites, winglets, satellite-based avionics, and a host of other carbon-cutting technologies,” Bolen said. “Looking to the future, our mission to achieve net zero is focused on innovation, including through investment in sustainable aviation fuel—which can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 80%—and development of highly efficient aircraft, engines, and new, electric, hybrid, and even hydrogen-powered propulsion systems.”
Citing business aviation's contribution to society, Bolen further asked: “How is it possible that a purportedly rigorous study would fail to disclose so much important information about business aviation’s societal benefits, including its record on emissions reduction and its leadership on a commitment to a net-zero future? Perhaps its authors were working from a preordained conclusion.”