Environmental impact of aviation

Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, raising environmental concerns. Jet airliners contribute to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide (CO₂), along with nitrogen oxides, contrails, and particulates. In 2018, global commercial operations generated 2.4% of all CO₂ emissions.

Jet airliners have become more fuel efficient, but overall emissions have risen because more people are flying. By 2020, aviation emissions were 70% higher than in 2005.

Aircraft noise pollution can disrupt sleep and affect children's education. Airports can sometimes cause water pollution if chemicals from handling jet fuel or deicing escape into nearby water. Aviation also releases ozone and ultrafine particles, which can be health hazards.

There are many ways to reduce aviation’s environmental impact. These include better fuel economy in aircraft, optimizing air traffic control and flight routes, using aviation biofuel, emissions trading, and carbon offsetting. New technologies like hybrid electric aircraft, electric aircraft, and hydrogen-powered aircraft may replace fuel-powered planes in the future. Since 2021, aviation groups have set goals to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Climate change

See also: radiative forcing

Airplanes release gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, as well as tiny particles into the air. These emissions can affect our planet’s climate. The most well-known gas they release is carbon dioxide, which traps heat and warms the Earth. Airplanes also release other gases and particles that can change how much heat the Earth keeps.

Flying also creates visible lines of clouds called contrails, which can trap more heat and add to climate change. Even though we understand a lot about how airplanes affect the climate, some effects, like how clouds form from airplane smoke, are still being studied. As more people travel by air each year, the impact of flying on our climate keeps growing, even though airplanes are getting better at using less fuel.

Noise

Main article: Aircraft noise pollution

Air traffic causes aircraft noise, which can disrupt sleep and affect school performance for children living near airports. It may also increase health risks for people who live close to airports. Some places have rules to limit flying at night to help reduce noise problems.

Newer airplanes have quieter engines, and special designs like serrated edges help lower noise levels. Planes that use a Continuous Descent Approach make less noise when landing because their engines use less power during the approach.

Water pollution

Airports can cause water pollution because they use and handle a lot of jet fuel, lubricants, and other chemicals. Special structures and clean-up tools help prevent or clean up chemical spills.

When it’s very cold, airports use special liquids called deicing fluids to keep runways safe. These liquids, made from chemicals like ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, can end up in nearby streams, rivers, or coastal waters. These chemicals can harm fish and other water animals because they use up the oxygen that these creatures need to live. Scientists are working on safer, non-toxic alternatives to protect water life.

Main article: Aircraft deicing fluid

Air pollution

Air travel creates pollution that can affect our health. Planes produce ozone, which can harm people’s lungs and may cause many early deaths each year. Aircraft engines also release very tiny particles, especially near airports, which can be harmful too.

In the United States, many small airplanes use a special fuel called Avgas that contains lead. This lead can get into the air and may be bad for people, especially babies and young children, because it might affect how their brains develop and cause other health problems.

Private jet travel

A study from 2024 showed that private jet travel released a lot of carbon dioxide in 2023—about 15.6 million tonnes. This is a big jump from 2019. Even though only a tiny part of the world’s people, about 256,000, use private jets, they still add a lot to the gases that warm our planet.

The study also found that many of these short trips were under 500 kilometers, and some flights had no passengers at all, just moving the plane to a new place. Experts think the number of private jets will grow even more in the next few years.

Mitigation

Aviation can help protect the environment by flying less, choosing better routes, using cleaner fuels, and making planes more efficient. New technology like electric planes and special fuels can also reduce harm to the air and climate.

In 2016, a group called the International Civil Aviation Organization agreed to make planes use less fuel and keep carbon pollution steady after 2020. They plan to use better plane designs, cleaner fuels, smarter flight paths, and ways to balance out pollution. In Europe, airlines are working together to reach zero carbon pollution by 2050 using better planes, cleaner fuels, and smarter flying methods. The airline industry aims to reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2050 through many different actions to cut down on harmful emissions.