"European aviation hits new emissions high, remaining largely outside the scope of the EU ETS" (T&E)

"In 2025, flights departing from European airports generated 195 Mt of CO₂, surpassing their 2019 level for the first time since the pandemic. Across 8,6 million departures, emissions rose from 4% compared to 2024. The sector remains largely outside the scope of the European carbon market, which is structurally flawed", according to a new study from Transport & Environment, published on 07/05/2026.

It points out that in 2025, "68% of emissions from European departing flights went unpriced, a consequence of the carbon market’s scope limitation to intra-European routes, leaving the most polluting long-haul routes entirely exempt. The effective price airlines paid per tonne of CO₂ resulted in a total of €23, far below the average EU ETS price of €73, paid for by other sectors".

Extending the ETS to all departing flights "would align the sector with the polluter pays principle and unlock significant revenue for public budgets. Total revenues could exceed €17Bn annually by 2030", underlines the organisation.

According to T&E, the European Commission's 2026 revision of the carbon market is…