A new analysis by aviation analysts, Cirium, reveals that daily CO₂ emissions from passenger jets reached a new peak in July, marginally exceeding the previous record set in August 2019.
However, the latest report from Cirium’s EmeraldSky platform reveals that, while total daily emissions saw a modest 0.1% increase, airlines achieved a significant 7.4% improvement in fuel efficiency per available seat kilometre (ASK) compared to 2019.
The efficiency gains came despite the average age of aircraft increasing by 17% to 11.6 years, contradicting the common belief that a newer fleet is the only way to improve performance. Instead, airlines focused on operational refinements, including streamlining ground operations, optimising flight routes, and more efficient network management.
According to the analysis, these improvements saved an estimated 187,000 tonnes of CO₂ daily compared to 2019 operational standards. However, such gains were not enough to offset the growth in capacity, which is why total emissions still went up.
The EmeraldSky analysis suggests that new daily emissions records will become routine during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer travel season.
The authors conclude that, while the industry’s recent efficiency improvements have been faster than historical trends, continued growth will require more fundamental changes, with sustainable aviation fuel still making up less than 1% of consumption.
Andrew Doyle, Senior Director – Market Development at Cirium, stressed the importance of fleet modernisation and integrating innovative technologies to mitigate emissions.
“While geopolitical factors present significant challenges, the aviation industry’s commitment to modernising fleets is a testament to our proactive approach to sustainability,” he said.
Photo: Cirium
Daily CO₂ emissions from passenger jets reached a new peak in July.
