Private Jets and Environmental Sustainability: Evaluating Emissions and Efficiency Indicators

Abstract

This study evaluates the environmental impact of private and business aviation, with a focus on emissions generated by specific aircraft operating in Poland in 2024. Three aircraft models—Pilatus PC-12, Bombardier Challenger 350, and Dassault Falcon 900EX—were analyzed in terms of flight frequency, fuel consumption, and emissions of CO₂, CO, NOx , CHx, and soot. Data were collected daily over one year, covering 419 flights, allowing for precise mapping of route networks and operational profiles. Results indicate that private jets produce disproportionately high emissions per passenger-kilometer, exceeding commercial aviation by up to fivefold and rail transport by over tenfold. The environmental inefficiency is especially pronounced on short-haul flights due to energy intensive takeoff and climb phases. Comparative analysis with cars, commercial aircraft, and rail highlights substantial mitigation potential through alternative transport modes, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric aircraft for short-haul operations, flight simulation training, and optimized airport operations such as single-engine taxiing and electric tow vehicles. Despite these strategies, private aviation remains a high-emission sector, emphasizing the need for regulatory interventions and systemic solutions to align elite mobility with global climate objectives.