According to the latest analysis from Greenpeace, the Austrian state loses around 77 million euros in tax revenue every year due to business travel in private jets. Moreover, they would damage the climate more than any other means of transport. According to the environmental organization, private jets cause 50 times more climate-damaging emissions than a train journey. That is why Greenpeace is calling for a ban.
Together with actor Cornelius Obonya and Marlene Engelhorn, millionaire heiress and activist of the ‘Tax Me Now’ initiative, the environmental protection organization is calling for a halt to such flights. “Companies that use extremely climate-damaging private jets for their business trips receive tax breaks as a reward. Amid the escalating climate crisis, this is a scandal,” said Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace in Austria.
Demand: Gewessler must comply with the ban on private jets
Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) is being called on to stick to an EU-wide ban on private jets. but also to enforce a national ban. “After all, Austrian private jets fly between Vienna and Salzburg alone about 200 times a year,” says Duregger.
Private jet costs can be claimed as travel expenses
According to Greenpeace estimates, there were 40,700 private jet flights in 2022 with a consumption of almost 57 million liters of kerosene due to business trips of Austrian companies. For comparison, in 2022 there were a total of 549,000 air trips for business travel in this country. Travel costs for the private jet flights amounted to around 276 million euros last year. The cost of private jets per flight hour varies between 2,500 and 9,500 euros, depending on the size of the aircraft, its comfort and the route length. You can claim this as travel expenses. About a third of private jet routes flown are within Austria or to a neighboring country.
Greenpeace recognizes two tax benefits
According to Greenpeace’s calculations, two tax benefits in particular can be distinguished for private jets. The lack of a kerosene tax leads to annual tax losses of up to 14 million euros in the private jet sector alone. For companies, travel expenses for business trips are also deductible from corporate tax. Currently, there is no limit on the amount of business travel expenses that can be deducted from taxes.
It is therefore possible for companies to drastically reduce the corporate tax base by hiring private jets for business trips and the resulting huge travel costs. According to Greenpeace, this practice caused the Austrian state to lose an additional 63 million euros in taxpayer money in 2022.
Oboyna: Vienna-Salzburg flight route “absurd”
“As an actor, I travel through all German-speaking countries and have been traveling exclusively by train for several years. The fact that routes such as those from Vienna to Salzburg, for example to the Salzburg Festival, are flown with private jets is absurd,” says Obonya. He calls on his colleagues in the film industry to make their contribution to a livable planet and also to rely on rails. “I would welcome a law that puts a clear end to climate-damaging private jets.”
“We don’t have a private jet ban yet because rich people invest their influence and money into the sanctity of their luxury emissions. “The destruction of everyone’s livelihood is not a luxury – it is a scandal,” Engelhorn said. The ‘Tax Me Now’ initiative advocates for tax fairness and also calls for a ban on private jets.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
