Two-thirds welcome a possible ban on private jets. The clear majority (79 percent) is also in favor of a kerosene tax, as a Greenpeace survey in Austria now shows. The Integral Institute interviewed 1,000 people between the ages of 16 and 75.
Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of respondents believe that private jets are harmful to the climate and environment. Even more participants in the survey (78 percent) believe that there are sufficient other transportation alternatives. “The super-rich fly through the air without a care in the world, but in doing so they are enormously fueling the climate crisis. People in Austria have also recognized this and are in favor of a ban on private jets,” said Marc Dengler of Greenpeace in a broadcast.
Short journeys popular
The organization calculated that private jets would emit more greenhouse gases per passenger kilometer than a train ride. The most popular routes between 2019 and 2022 were Paris-Geneva and Vienna-Salzburg. “The latter takes less than two and a half hours by train,” says Dengler.
To restrict flights with private jets, about eight in ten respondents (79 percent) advocate a kerosene tax, similar to the tax on gasoline or diesel. Seven in ten people are also in favor of a ban on short-haul flights, provided that affordable and fast train connections are available.
Ban also necessary in the EU
The NGO on Tuesday called on Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) to take action. It would require an Austria-wide ban on private jets and pressure on the European Union to introduce one across the EU. According to Greenpeace, the number of annual flights by Austrian private jets has more than doubled between 2019 and 2022. Companies that own private aircraft include Porsche, Glock, Red Bull, Magna and Swarovski.
“Transport Minister Gewessler must pull the strings and call for an end to private jets at EU level. With a national ban, Austria can also become a role model throughout Europe,” Gewessler said.
Source: Krone
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