Ryanair’s Carbon Footprint Soars 50% Above 2019, Fueling Aviation’s Emissions Surge
European aviation emissions have surged past pre-Covid figures, propelled by the rapid expansion of low-cost carriers and despite industry commitments to reduce carbon output. Notably, Ryanair’s CO₂ emissions in 2025 have soared to 16.6 megatonnes—equivalent to the total annual emissions of a nation like Croatia—marking a 50% increase since 2019.
The airline transported over 200 million passengers in 2025, a sharp rise from 140 million in 2019. This growth highlights the paradox of an aviation sector introducing fuel-efficient aircraft yet generating more pollution overall due to soaring demand.
European Aviation’s Growing Carbon Footprint
Last year, the entire European aviation sector emitted 195Mt of CO₂ from departing flights, representing a 2% increase over pre-pandemic levels. This upward trend underscores the challenges of decarbonising an industry rebounding strongly from travel restrictions.
Limits of the Emissions Trading System (ETS)
Both the EU and UK have attempted to curb aviation’s environmental impact through the Emissions Trading System (ETS). However, Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that the ETS covers only flights within Europe, excluding long-haul routes that consume more fuel and produce higher emissions.
This loophole means that airlines flying primarily intra-European routes, like Ryanair, face higher carbon costs—paying around €50 (£36) per tonne—while legacy carriers such as Lufthansa pay roughly €20 per tonne. Meanwhile, lucrative long-haul flights—such as London to New York, which alone generated nearly 1.4Mt of CO₂ in 2025—remain outside the ETS framework.
Calls to Expand Carbon Market to All Flights
T&E advocates for extending the ETS to include all departing flights. Expanding the carbon market could potentially quadruple the €4.1 billion in revenues collected by 2030, providing vital funding for sustainable aviation fuel production and contrail mitigation technologies—critical tools to combat aviation’s climate impact.
Fuel Costs Overshadow Climate Measures
Despite industry lobbying to relax climate policies amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, T&E’s analysis finds that carbon market costs are marginal compared to the volatility of jet fuel prices. Fuel prices have nearly doubled since the pre-Iran war period, adding approximately €90 per passenger on long-haul flights. In contrast, compliance with sustainable aviation fuel mandates costs just €3 per passenger.
Giacomo Miele, author of the T&E report, states, “Ticket prices are rising because of Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels, not because of the climate measures intended to steer the sector away from them.” The rise in emissions signals that the industry is far from serious about sustainability. Miele urges an end to fossil fuel subsidies and increased investment in a sustainable aviation future.
Ryanair’s Response: Growth with Lower Per-Passenger Emissions
Ryanair defends its rising greenhouse gas emissions as a consequence of being Europe’s fastest-growing airline. The carrier emphasizes that its expansion occurs on new, fuel-efficient aircraft and at lower fares, resulting in declining emissions per passenger.
The company argues that its growth displaces travel on less efficient legacy airlines, which have significantly higher emissions per passenger. Ryanair criticizes the ETS data as “completely discredited” for excluding long-haul flights and exempting some airlines from environmental taxes. According to Ryanair, when all flights are considered, it emits less CO₂ per passenger kilometer—about 64 grams—compared to larger European carriers like Lufthansa, Air France/KLM, and British Airways owner IAG.
The Road Ahead for European Aviation
The continuing rise in aviation emissions despite technological advances and policy measures reveals a sector struggling to balance growth with climate responsibility. Expanding carbon pricing mechanisms and investing in sustainable fuels and contrail reduction appear essential to reverse this trend. Without decisive action, Europe’s skies risk becoming a growing source of greenhouse gases at odds with the continent’s climate ambitions.
